SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Rockford entered Saturday's game against the Lakeland College Muskies still fighting for the 8th and final spot in the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament. The Regents needed to secure a victory in order to remain just percentage points behind current eighth seed Aurora. It looked to be a difficult task though as Rockford has really struggled with Lakeland over the past few seasons dropping 4 of the last 5 meetings. However, it was a determined Regents team and great second half effort that put them over the top. Rockford turned the ball over just 7 times in the second half compared to Lakeland's 10, and went 15-33 from the floor while holding Lakeland to only 8-28 shooting in the final twenty minutes.

The two teams went back and forth through much of the first half with neither side able to gain much of an advantage. The Muskies took their largest lead of the afternoon at the 7:14 mark when they hit a three-point jumper giving themselves a 24-16 advantage. Rockford quickly answered from the hand of junior guard Erin Ryczek (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah). Ryczek carried the Regents for much of the evening but especially in the first half. The junior scored 12 of the Regents 27 first half points on 4-6 shooting. The South Beloit native also knocked in a key three-pointer just before halftime to cut Lakeland's lead to only five entering the break.

After being able to hang around in the first half despite not playing their best basketball, the Regents began to take control of the game part way through the final twenty minutes. Rockford took the lead for good at the 7:54 mark on a three point play by Ryczek. Fueled by their second half momentum and stellar shooting, the ladies promptly went on a 15-3 run over a three and a half minute span to put the game out of reach. Ryczek was once again the catalyst for Rockford scoring 12 of the 15 points including connecting on three consecutive three-point baskets. The ladies did not look back for the rest of the game winning by a final score of 70-61.

The Regents had two players score in double-figures on Saturday. Erin Ryczek had her best so far this season setting single game-highs in both points and rebounds. The junior also recorded her second double-double of the year with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Ryczek was very impressive shooting the ball making 8 of her 15 shot attempts including connecting on 5 of 10 three-point shots. Arielle Nichols (Tampa, Fla./Land O'Lakes) gave the team a tremendous boost of the bench. Nichols scored 11 points, got 2 rebounds, had 2 assists and recorded a 1 steal in only 17 minutes of play. 

After a few days off the Regents will head to Milwaukee to play the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors on January 22nd. The Warriors hold an unblemished 9-0 NAC record, but the Regents gave them all they could handle in early meeting this season. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.