DUBUQUE, Iowa - After nine days off, the Rockford University men's basketball team returned to the court Saturday night against the University of Dubuque Spartans. Rockford knew it would be a tall task to knock off the Spartans as they entered the game with a perfect 8-0 record and were receiving votes in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.
The game began with the two school trading baskets before the Spartans eventually pulled away late in the first half. The Regents and Spartans opened the game with a flurry of baskets that led to eight lead changes and 29 combined points scored in the first five minutes and two seconds. Senior David Dixon (Bellwood, Ill./St. Joseph) connected on three of his first four shots scoring half of the Regents points as they trailed Spartans by one, 15-14. Dubuque would eventually stretch its lead out to double-digits and enter the half with 47-37 advantage.
The second half did not start out well for the Regents as the Spartans opened the half on a 16-6 run to push its lead to 20 points. Dubuque continued to add to the lead until it reached a game-high 24 points at 72-48 with 11:48 remaining in the second half. However, the Regents were determined to fight their way back into the game as they promptly went on a 23-5 run to make it a two-possession game with just over three and a half minutes remaining. During the run, Rockford used a very balanced offensive attack that saw six Regents record at least one made basket. Junior Marlon Sykes (Chicago, Ill./John Marshall) capped off the run scoring 5 of the final 9 points and assisting on one of the other two baskets to make it a 77-71 game. Unfortunately that was as close as the Regents would get as the Spartans held on for an 89-81 win.
Rockford got a pair of outstanding performances from senior forward David Dixon and junior point guard Marlon Sykes. The duo combined to score over half of the teams 81 points Saturday night. Dixon poured in a game-high 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting including connecting on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc as well as knocking down all four of his free throw attempts. The senior rounded out his evening with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Sykes had perhaps his best game of the year scoring a season-high 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting. The junior capped off his excellent all-around game with 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
Big man Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill./Belvidere) continues to impress in just in his first collegiate season. Wallace recorded season-highs in both points and rebounds on Saturday with 13 points and 7 rebounds. The freshman went an impressive 6-for-10 from the floor and connected on his only free throw attempt.
The Regents return to the court tomorrow against Clarke University in the 2:00 p.m. game at the Jon Davison Holiday Tournament in Dubuque, Iowa.
