GALESBURG, Ill. - Fresh off a second place finish in the Amy Hasbrook Memorial Tournament this past weekend, the Regents hit the road for their final non-conference opponent of the regular season. Rockford was playing its third game in just five days when they took on the Knox College Prairie Fire Wednesday night. However, the ladies were up to the challenge and trailed for just 3 minutes and 2 seconds in the entire game on their way to an impressive 77-66 victory.
Wednesday's game was all about defense for the Regents. In one of its best efforts so far this year, Rockford held Knox to only 19.6% shooting from the floor and 18.2% shooting from behind the arc. After falling behind 3-0 on the Prairie Fire's opening possession, the Regents tied the game at 4 less than three minutes later and never trailed the remainder of the evening. The ladies promptly went on a 17-5 run to push the lead to 21-9. Senior Nicole Lawler (Pearl City, Ill./Pearl City) scored 7 of the team's 17 points including taking and making her only three-pointer of the season so far. The two teams went back and forth for rest of the half with Rockford taking a 35-27 advantage into the intermission.
The Prairie Fires put up a strong fight in the second half cutting the lead to only three points on two separate occasions, the second coming with just under 8 minutes remaining in the second half. Rockford turned to junior Lindsay Lengjak (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) to lead them on a 10-3 run and extend its lead back to double-digits. Lengjak scored 6 of the team's 10 points over that two minute span and ten seconds to secure the team's second victory in its last three games.
Lengjak was the star of the evening for the Regents against the Prairie Fire. The junior gave Rockford a huge boost off the bench pouring in a season-best 23 points on 10-18 shooting and grabbing a season-high 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. She also blocked two shots during the game and handed out two assists while committing zero turnovers in 25 minutes of play.
Two of Rockford's five starters also cracked double-figures with two more knocking at the door. Reigning NAC Student-Athlete of the Week Erin Ryczek (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah) also recorded her first double-double of the season. Ryczek scored 13 points while getting 10 rebounds to go along with 1 assist and 1 blocked shot. Nicole Lawler finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Sherrell Woods (Rockford, Ill./East), who only played in 20 minutes due to foul trouble, was able to score 8 points, get 5 rebounds, have 1 assist and 1 steal. Finally, Cierra Johnson (St. Louis, Mo./O'Fallon Township) filled up the box score with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
After a couple of well deserved days off, the ladies will return to Northern Athletics Conference play on Saturday. The Regents will travel to Fond du Lac, Wis. to face the Marian University Sabres. Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m.
