Misenheimer, NC – A weekend road trip in the Tarheel State began on Saturday afternoon with the Regent University Men's Basketball team visiting Pfeiffer University. The Royals are very familiar with USA South member teams, as this would mark the third time this season they have faced one.
Regent fell behind early as the Falcons jumped out to an early lead scoring 10 straight points, until Junior Darrin Clark (Suffolk, VA) drained a three-pointer from the left wing. Sophomore Brendan Goods (Long Beach, CA) would follow that up with a driving layup, but at the first media timeout Regent found themselves trailing by double digits. However, after play resumed, Freshman Christian Brown (Chesapeake, VA) would come alive and hit two three straight threes for the Royals. On the next series, Clark converted a layup and then on the defensive end picked up a steal. A fast break layup by DJ Dillon (Franklin, VA), followed by another Clark three-pointer, trimmed the deficit to eight. Sophomore Micah Eastman (Virginia Beach, VA) scored his first basket with a short jumper but unfortunately Pfeiffer was able to increase their advantage again to double digits. That did not stop Clark, though, from converting two straight fast breaks and as the half came to an end, Regent would trail 52-31.
Goods opened up the second half with a defensive steal and found Sophomore Antoine Brown (Chesapeake, VA) on the baseline for a three-pointer. On the next possession Brown set up shop at the top of the three-point line to hit his second straight. C. Brown and Clark would convert back-to-back layups and suddenly, the Royals offensive was settling in. The Brown brothers kept the scoring going with two baskets between them, cutting into the Falcons' lead. Clark and C. Brown continued to find their way to the basket, but Pfeiffer would have an answer. A big offensive rebound by A. Brown turned into another Clark basket and then a few possessions later Clark would convert two free throws followed by two from C. Brown. However, Regent was unable to complete the comeback and would fall by a final score of 104-88.
Clark led all scorers with 30 points, which tied the program's single game scoring record, while C. Brown finished with 27 points. The two also combined for six three-pointers. A. Brown turned in a double-double with 15 points, while grabbing a team high 10 rebounds (4 offensive and 6 defensive). In addition, Goods had a solid game defensively, finishing with five total steals.
The Royals will complete their road trip tomorrow, Sunday, December 15th when they face William Peace University in Raleigh. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00pm.
