Virginia Beach, VA – After a long Holiday break, the Regent University Women's Basketball team kicked off 2026 as they hosted the University of Mary Washington in their first ever Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference game.  Despite being short-handed and missing their leading scorer, the Royals started out quick and forced the Eagles to play at a fast pace.  Even though they fell 80-33, Regent had a number of bright spots occur on the day. 

The Royals were very competitive in the first half as Junior Shardae Williams (Fredericksburg, VA) was able to establish herself underneath the basket to convert on a number of turnaround shots.  Freshman Kennedy Shipman (Virginia Beach, VA) provided points from the wing, and by driving to the basket, to help the Royals keep the game close in the first half.  This would be her eighth game in double figures as she finished with a team high 17 points.  Freshman Amara Groth (Chesapeake, VA) drained 2 three-pointers to pull within 3 of the All-Time Freshman Record, while Williams and Shipman led the team with 5 rebounds apiece.   

Regent will have 11 days off before they travel to Elizabeth City, NC on Wednesday, January 21st to they face Mid-Atlantic Christian University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00pm.