Virginia Beach, VA – While the students are still enjoying their last week of the winter break, the Regent University Men's Basketball team kicked off 2025 with a home match-up against McDaniel College (MD) on Wednesday night. The two teams met earlier in the season in Maryland, with the Green Terror coming away with a 21-point win. However, the Royals would come into the game with a renewed outlook and look to even up the season series to begin the year on a high note.
McDaniel controlled the beginning of the first half as they jumped out to an early double-dight lead, 19-9. However, Regent would come alive with as Junior Darrin Clark (Suffolk, VA) and Sophomore Micah Eastman (Virginia Beach, VA) converted two big baskets to begin a run for the Royals. They would pull to within two points after a Clark layup and then take their first lead of the game after a three-pointer by Sophomore DJ Dillon (Franklin, VA) at the 6:05 mark. A jumper from Sophomore Antoine Brown (Chesapeake, VA), followed by back-to-back baskets from Clark and Eastman continued the run and, as the clock was running down, Clark drained a three-pointer to conclude the 24-7 run sending Regent into the locker room leading 35-28.
Dillon, Clark and Brown began the second half each finding the basket to keep the Royals out in front. That was followed by an old fashion three-point play by Freshman Brandon Williams (Windsor, NC) and a driving layup from Sophomore Brendan Goods (Long Beach, CA) to help Regent control the momentum. However, the Green Terror would not go away and eventually put together their own run to gain the advantage and pull ahead, 52-50. Another three-point play by Williams once again tied the game, setting the stage for an exciting final 10 minutes. After trading baskets for the next few minutes, Brown was able to convert a steal into a fast-break layup, while Williams and Clark would get points from the free throw line. With 1:33 remaining, McDaniel found themselves back out in front and was hoping to run out the clock. However, two Clark free throws would tie the game and then, with only 18 seconds left, Williams stepped up to the free throw line and converted the two biggest shots of his young college career to give the Royals a two-point lead. The Green Terror would have an opportunity to win the game but came up short on a three-pointer and an inbound play as the buzzer sounded, allowing Regent to come away with the upset win by a final score of 78-76.
Clark finished the game tying his own program single game scoring record with 28 points, while going a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line. In addition, Williams added a career high 16 points and was also perfect from the line, finishing 8-8. Eastman had a solid game finishing with 12 points and six rebounds while Brown had 10 points to go along with his five rebounds. As a team, the Royals were 19-22 from the free throw line, a season best, which was the difference in the game.
Regent will be back in action on Saturday, January 11th, as they welcome in Warren Wilson College in the second game of a doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.
