VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The McDaniel College men's basketball team fell in the final moments of a rematch with Regent on Wednesday, losing 78-76 to end the team's eight-game winning streak.
The Green Terror (10-2) were led by a career-high 25 points from junior
David Kearney who was 9-of-16 shooting to lead. Junior
Jonas Sujeta scored 18 points and made 7-of-9 shots. Graduate student
Chuck Contee also finished in double figures with 10 points.
The Royals (2-10) scored the final six points of the game, including the winning free throws from Brandon Williams with 18 seconds left to break a 76-76 tie.
McDaniel jumped out to a 6-0 lead to begin the game and grew the lead to 10 with 11:12 left to play in the first half. But Regent stormed back with a 14-4 run, taking a 25-23 lead with just over six minutes left. The Royals made their final four shots from the floor to head into halftime with a 35-28 advantage.
Regent expanded the lead to nine at the start of the second half but McDaniel fought back into the contest. A three-pointer from Sujeta gave the Green Terror a 52-50 lead at the 13:17 mark of the second half but the Royals quickly snatched the lead back. Both teams traded baskets and the lead in the final 10 minutes, with Regent gaining control with just under four minutes to play.
Trailing by six, Contee and Kearney each made a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to two before a three-pointer from junior
Kevin Connelly put McDaniel ahead, 71-70 with 3:38 to play.
The Green Terror bumped the lead to four with 1:33 on the clock after two more free throws from Kearney. The Royals then scored the game's final six points, sealing the win with two free throws from Brandon Williams with 18 seconds left.
The Green Terror outscored Regent 48-43 in the second half, making 60 percent of their shots and converting on 14-of-15 free throws. But six McDaniel turnovers made the difference in a close contest, as the defense could only force one Regent turnover in the final 20 minutes.
McDaniel opens Centennial Conference play on the road against Franklin & Marshall on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
