Greensboro, NC – The Regent University Men's Basketball team traveled to the Tarheel State for its first road trip of the young season as they faced last year's USA South's runner-up Greensboro College. It had been a few years since the two teams had met on the court, but the Royals felt they would be able to carry over the momentum from their game this past weekend. It would be a game of two contrasting styles, with one trying to run and the other looking to slow things down.
Freshman Christian Brown (Chesapeake, VA) opened the first half with a long three-pointer and followed that up with another to give Regent the early advantage. On the next possession, Junior Darrin Clark (Suffolk, VA) created a turnover and took the ball the distance of the court for the layup. Brown continued to find the basket, as he converted his third straight three-pointer and at the media timeout the Royals led 11-4. Sophomore Antoine Brown (Chesapeake, VA) picked up where his brother left off, draining a three of his own, to keep the momentum going. However, the Pride were able to cut the deficit to three, but Freshman Brandon Williams (Winsor, NC) answered with two straight baskets and then a block on the defensive end of the court. The scoring continued as Senior Silas Wertz (Kannapolis, NC) came in the game and immediately contributed with a driving layup. With under seven minutes left in the half ,Greensboro trimmed the advantage to two points and then eventually to one. A layup by Clark pushed the lead back to three points and a Pride shot clock violation gave the ball back to Regent at the 4:40 mark. The Royals quickly began to attack the basket, which created free throw opportunities for Sophomore Micah Eastman (Virginia Beach, VA) and Clark and then a three-pointer by Junior Vladimir Vibert (West Palm Beach, FL) would send Regent into the half leading 31-24.
Antoine Brown began the second half with an offensive put back and that was followed by a long three-pointer by Clark. Greensboro answered with a three of their own, but Vibert split the defenders as he drove to the basket for a layup, and he would do it again following a timeout. On the next possession, Sophomore DJ Dillon (Franklin, VA) took a pass under the basket from Clark for the score and then Antoine Brown came back down the court and converted a three. The Pride would not go away, but Eastman had an answer to keep them at bay as he hit a short jumper. With under 11 minutes remaining, Christian Brown connected on his fourth three of the game to increase the advantage to eight points and then two free throws from Williams pushed the lead to double-digits, 52-42. However, Greensboro began a run and, at the 4:50 mark, drained a three-pointer to pull to within one point, 56-55. On the next possession Antoine Brown picked up his fifth foul of the game and suddenly the game was tied at 56-56. The Royals regained their composure as Christian Brown converted two free throws, which was followed by a three from Sophomore Brendan Goods (Long Beach, CA), and another Christian Brown basket, to increase their advantage to seven points. With time winding down, Clark drained a three from the wing to close things out, as Regent would come away with their first win of the season, 66-58.
Christian Brown led all scorers with 18 points while finishing 4-5 from behind the three-point line. In addition, Clark chipped in with 12 points and Antoine Brown led the team with seven rebounds. As a team, the Royals were a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line.
Regent will be back in action on Friday, November 15th when they begin a weekend road trip at Penn State – Altoona. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00pm.
