Lynchburg, VA – Riding the emotion from Thursday's buzzer beating win, the Regent University Men's Basketball team hit the road to face ODAC member Randolph College. The Royals knew they had to play a near perfect game and control the tempo to be able to come away with a win. In a story line twist, Interim Head Coach Michael Allen and Wildcats Head Coach Evan Kee both used to work together at another institution as Athletic Director and Assistant Athletic Director. It would be a reunion on the sidelines, but that would come to an end once the referee threw the ball in the air to begin the game.
The first half began with Randolph hitting a three-pointer for a quick lead. Regent answered with a layup from Junior Darrin Clark (Suffolk, VA) after he grabbed his own offensive rebound. However, the Wildcats were able to increase their lead to six points, until Clark connected on another basket. Unfortunately, Randolph's offense would come alive, and the Royals found themselves trailing 35-14. Sophomore Antoine Brown (Chesapeake, VA) found his way to the basket for a score and then a few possessions later added a free throw. Junior Damien Walters, Jr. (Matthews, VA) was able to drive to the basket converting a three-point play the old fashion way and then Sophomore Brendan Goods (Long Beach, CA) drained a three-pointer from the top of the key. However, as the two teams headed to the locker room, Regent would trail Randolph 52-27.
Freshman Brandon Williams (Windsor, VA) started the second half off taking a pass from Sophomore DJ Dillon (Franklin, VA) for a cutting layup and a few possessions later Brown and Junior Anthony Chenault (Portsmouth, VA) were able to also find the basket. Newcomer Sophomore Logan McElveen (Virginia Beach, VA) saw action today and was able to split the defenders for a drive to the basket for a score. Unfortunately, the Royals could not mount a comeback and would fall to the Wildcats by a final score of 116-61.
Clark finished the game with 11 points, while going 3-3 from the free throw. Williams added 10 points, while Chenault finished with 9 points and Brown added 7 points.
Regent will be back in action on Saturday, February 1st when they travel to Maryland to face Salisbury University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm.
