Newport News, VA – With a rowdy crowd in attendance, the Apprentice Men's Basketball team faced local Hampton Roads and EMAC foe Regent University in the second game of a doubleheader.  After two solid weekend performances, the Builders were happy to be back in the friendly confines of the Apprentice Athletic Center.  With a full healthy roster Coach Kee and his Builders knew they had an opportunity to stay atop the EMAC standings.  However, first they would have to get by a good Royals team. 

The first half began with Marion Moore pulling up for a short jumper to take the early lead, 2-0.  However, Regent answered as the shot clock expired with a 3-pointer to go out in front by 1-point.  On the next possession, the Royals would hit another 3-pointer to push their lead to 6-2.  Apprentice would respond and cut the lead to 3-points and then Corey Joyner tied it up with a 3-pointer from the wing.  After swinging the ball around, Avin Hawkins drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to regain the lead and then on their next possession Hawkins gave the Builders the 5-point advantage with another bucket.  Regent would make a run and at the 13:18 mark they were only down by 1-point, 13-12.  Both teams traded 3-pointers, but Adrion Wall would give Apprentice the 4-point lead with a 3-pointer from the top of the key.  The Builders eventually began to take control of the game, behind Wall's 15 points and Avin Hawkins' 13 points, to go into the locker room at the half leading by a score of 42-32.

Adrion Wall picked up where he left off to start the second half, converting a 3-pointer from the wing and that was followed by a Caleb Mielewski steal which resulted in a fast break layup.  Marion Moore would get in on the action with a defensive steal of his own and take it the distance to give Apprentice the 17-point lead, 49-32.  The Builders would continue their strong defensive pressure, which resulted in 4 more points, giving them their largest lead of the game, 53-32.  For the next 3 minutes both teams traded baskets and with 13:56 remaining in the game, Apprentice held a 19-point advantage, 60-41.  The Royals tried to cut into the lead, but Corey Joyner took control of the offense putting Apprentice back up by 20-points.  It would stay at 20-points until Regent converted two free throws, but Kurij Harrell would drain two free throws of his own to keep the Builders ahead, 77-57.  While Regent continued to try to trim the lead, Apprentice stayed in control and as the buzzer sound they would come away with another EMAC win, 85-67.

Adrion Wall paced the Builders with 24 points, while Marion Moore finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds and Avin Hawkins finished with 14 points.  Apprentice's bench also had a big night as they outscored the Royals bench 50-28.  The Builders will return to action this weekend as they travel down to Asheville, NC for a rematch with Warren Wilson College.  Stay tuned to www.gobuilders.com for game information.