Virginia Beach, VA - The Spencer Beaty era began Saturday afternoon In what is already being called one of the most exciting games in the history of the Regent Men's Basketball program.  After being down double-digits in the second half, the Royals stormed back and pushed visiting Columbia College to the final buzzer.  It was Regent's first regular season game in their new home this year at Gateway Christian Academy and if today is any indication, the gym and fans will be treated to an exciting brand of fast paced Royals Basketball.

The Koalas jumped out early in the first half, driving to the basket, but Regent kept things close as Junior Darrin Clark (Suffolk, VA) and Sophomore Antoine Brown (Chesapeake, VA) were able to convert baskets for the Royals.  However, Columbia would go on a run and eventually led by double-digits, 22-11.  Clark and Brown continued to score to start a run and then Freshman Christian Brown (Chesapeake, VA) converted a three-point play to pull Regent to within four.  Once again, the Koalas were able to increase their advantage to double-digits but the Brown brothers hit back-to-back shots, while Sophomore DJ Dillon (Franklin, VA) drained a short jumper, followed by his first three-point basket of the season, to cut it to four points.  Columbia continued to answer and as the teams headed into the locker rooms, the Royals trailed 43-33.

As the second half began, Antoine Brown drove to the basket for a layup and was fouled to complete the three-point play.  Clark kept the momentum going with his own layup and and eventually Christian Brown drove to the basket for a one handed dunk.  However, the Koalas would convert on their end as well and with 11:34 remaining in the game, they had their biggest lead of the day, 60-46.  It would be a Dillon three-pointer, with 2:31 left, that began the Regent run as free-throws by Sophomore Brendan Goods (Long Beach, CA), combined with layups from Clark and Antoine Brown, pulled the Royals to within two points, 79-77.  After forcing a turnover with just three seconds on the clock, Junior Vladimir Vibert ( West Palm Beach, FL) drove to the basket and was fouled.  He would make the first free throw but as he missed the second, Antoine Brown grabbed the rebound in the air and tried to convert the put-back.  Unfortunately, it hit the side of the rim as the clock hit zero and Regent would fall by a final score of 79-78.  

Clark and Antoine Brown led the Royals with 17 points apiece, while Christian Brown finished with 15 points.  Antoine Brown also led the team with 10 rebounds and five steals, followed by Sophomore Micah Eastman (Virginia Beach, VA) who had six rebounds.

Regent will be back in action as they travel to North Carolina on Wednesday, November 13th to face Greensboro College.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.