Lynchburg, VA – On Friday night the Donte Minter era began as the Regent University Women's Basketball team opened up their regular season at NCAA Division III and ODAC member Randolph College. After three scrimmages, the Royals were ready to make it count and get their season started against the Wildcats.
The first quarter began with Regent stopping a Randolph fast break, setting the tone for a fast-paced game. However, the Wildcats would get on the board first by hitting two free throws for the early lead. After a Randolph three, Sophomore My'Angel Carter (Toccoa, GA) scored the first points of the season for the Royals on a driving layup. They would trim the lead to two-points after a three by Sophomore Lindora Lewis (Richmond, VA) and then take the lead with a Senior Courtney Rowley (Lusk, WY) three-point basket. Lusk would do it again after a Regent steal, as she took a pass and converted a short jumper. The Wildcats were able to get the advantage again, but as the quarter came to an end, Carter ran down the court for a basket to tie the game at 14-14.
On a strange call, Randolph was able to start the second quarter with a free throw before the clock started, to go ahead by one point. They followed that up with a three-pointer and eventually held a five-point lead. Unfortunately, that lead continued to increase and, as the teams headed to the locker rooms for half time, the Royals trailed 36-17.
Regent came out in the third quarter and was able to attack the basket and while on the defensive end of the court they created a Wildcat turnover. Carter, eventually, put the Royals on the board after grabbing an offensive rebound and that was followed by a spinning layup from Sophomore Shardae Williams (Fredericksburg, VA). A few minutes later Rowley found a streaking Carter for a layup of her own, but as the quarter ended Regent was behind 53-25.
Williams and Freshman Jada Daniels (New York, NY) got things started in the fourth quarter, each converting baskets from underneath. Carter would get to the free throw line and make one of two and on the next possession she would be fouled again, where she converted one free throw. After a turnover, Williams took the ball and drained her first three-pointer of the season to keep the momentum going. However, as the final buzzer sounded the Royals fell by a final score of 62-53.
Carter and Williams led Regent with 12 points apiece, while Rowley finished with six points. Carter also led the team with 11 total rebounds and Lewis would record a team high two steals.
The Royals will be back in action on Wednesday, November 13th when they travel to North Carolina to face Greensboro College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm.
