Greensboro, NC – Wednesday saw the Regent University Women's Basketball team travel to the Piedmont area of North Carolina to face NCAA Division III and USA South member Greensboro College. This would be the sixth overall meeting between the two schools, and both were looking for their first win of the season. The Royals had never won in Hanes Gymnasium, but Coach Donte Minter had a team that was determined to change that.
The first quarter opened with the Pride converting a three-pointer for the quick lead, but Regent clamped down on defense and started to create turnovers and missed shots. Senior Lyriq Reyes (Bogota, NJ) was very active on the defensive boards and her effort turned into a three from Sophomore Lindora Lewis (Richmond, VA) and that was followed by back-to-back baskets from Sophomore My'Angel Carter (Toccoa, GA) trimming the Greensboro advantage to 9-6. The lead was cut to one-point after a Senior Courtney Rowley (Lusk, WY) basket and then Carter tied things up at the free throw line. However, the Pride connected on two three-pointers and as the quarter came to an end, the Royals trailed, 17-13.
Rowley made her second three of the game a minute and a half into the second quarter, to keep Regent within striking distance. Eventually, the Pride were able to increase their lead to 11 points, but Rowley connected again to get it to under 10. A three from Lewis trimmed the score to 27-21and then the defense created a much-needed turnover. That would allow Regent to attempt the final shot of the half as Lewis drained another three-pointer sending the Royals into the locker room only down 30-24.
The third quarter saw both teams coming up short on the offensive end and three minutes in, no one had scored. Greensboro finally broke through with a jumper and followed that up with a fast break off a turnover to, once again, increase the advantage to double-digits. Regent had some opportunities to cut into the lead but was unable to convert. Eventually Carter and Senior Oghosasse Osadiaye (Marion, MI) found points for the Royals but would still trail at the close of the quarter, 42-27.
The fourth and final quarter began with Regent trying to put pressure on the Pride, which was successful on the defensive end of the court, but they could not convert that into points. Eventually, Freshman Kaitlyn Russell (Fredericksburg, VA) scored her first ever collegiate points and that was followed by baskets from Freshman Jada Daniels (New York, NY) and Sophomore Shardae Williams (Fredericksburg, VA) but as the final buzzer sounded Regent would fall by a final score of 61-33.
Rowley led the Royals with 10 points to go along with her nine rebounds and two steals, while Carter chipped in with seven rebounds. In addition, Lewis finished the game with two three-pointers.
Regent will be back in action on Friday, November 15th when they host Pfeiffer University in their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm.
