Box Score Winston-Salem, NC – One Saturday morning, the Regent Women's Basketball team boarded a charter bus for its last road trip of the season. That bus would take them to the Tarheel State for a match-up with fellow NCCAA South Region member Carolina University. The two teams met earlier in the year in Virginia Beach with the Bruins earning the win, but the Royals would come into the game looking to get their second road win under Head Coach Donte Minter (First Season).
Senior Courtney Rowley (Lusk, WY) drained a three-pointer from the top of the key to begin the first quarter, but Carolina answered with one of their own. On the next possession, Rowley connected again to give Regent an early lead, 6-3. The Bruins trimmed it to two-points after a free throw and then eventually tied the game. A few minutes later, Carolina was able to grab their first lead of the game and at the 3:46 mark their advantage was six-points. A three by Junior Jasmeen Lemons (Houston, TX) cut it in half and then a basket from Sophomore Shardae Williams (Fredericksburg, VA) pulled Regent closer. The Royals' defense would slow things down and as the quarter ended, they only trailed 19-15.
The second quarter started with a long three-pointer from Lemons, but the Bruins answered with a layup and then a defensive stop. They eventually increased their lead to eight points, forcing the Royals to call a timeout. As the game resumed, Williams got in the paint to score and then the defense was able to force two straight turnovers. Sophomore My'Angel Carter (Toccoa, GA) converted a transition layup after taking a pass from Williams and then Williams would score on an inbound play when Rowley found her under the basket. Carolina began to press Regent, but they were able to handle it with Carter getting the ball in the middle for the score and as the teams headed to the locker rooms for the half, the Royals trailed 34-28.
The Bruins managed to get to the free throw line at the beginning of the third quarter but only converted one of two. However, they would eventually increase their advantage to double digits at 39-28. The deficit increased to 16 points until Lemons made two free throws, followed by an underneath basket by Williams and as the quarter ended the score was 56-38.
Lemons converted one of two free throws and Williams would score again underneath to open the fourth quarter for the Royals. A few possessions later, Rowley faked a three and found a cutting Carter, who took the pass and scored. Rowley followed that up with a short jumper and Williams continued to get position in the paint. Rowley continued to show why she is Regent's all-time assist leader, as she once again fed Carter a pass for the score. However, as the final buzzer sounded the Royals would fall by a final score of 71-51.
(Final stats will be provided once received from Carolina University)
Regent will be back in action on Tuesday, February 25th when they face Clinton College. This will be the final game of the season and will also be Senior Night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm.
