DUBUQUE, Iowa - For the second straight day the Regents men's basketball team faced stiff competition at Jon Davison Holiday Tournament. Tuesday afternoon Rockford squared off against the Clarke University Crusaders who entered the game with nine wins. In addition, the Crusaders were also receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Division II Top 25 Poll.
The first half of action was highly entertaining as it featured six ties, four lead changes and was played within a twelve-point range. Following a slow start to the half, the Regents took their first lead of the day at 14-12 off a layup by point guard Marlon Sykes (Chicago, Ill./John Marshall). The Regents continued to build on their lead until it reached a first half high when senior Arthur Miller IV (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) connected on a jumper to put his team up six with 8:27 remaining before halftime. However, the Crusaders would close the half on a 24-13 run and take a 44-39 lead into the intermission.
The second half began and ended much better for Rockford as the Regents shot 54.3% from the floor while holding Clarke to just 39.0% shooting. The Regents used their hot second half shooting to get off to a fast start scoring seven of the first nine points to tie the game at 46-46 less the two and a half minutes in. The two schools then traded baskets over the next three and a half minutes before Rockford took control of the game. With the game once again tied, this time at 56-56, Rockford went on a 24-9 run to grab its largest lead of the afternoon at 80-65. Six different Regents scored during the eight-minute span led by 7 points from senior David Dixon (Bellwood, Ill./St. Joseph). Just when it seemed the Regents had the game in hand, the Crusaders fought back to make it a three-point game with one minute remaining. However, Rockford was able to hold off the late Clarke surge by knocking down five of its final six free throws to secure the 87-82 win.
Rockford once again got an outstanding performance from its senior forward David Dixon. Dixon recorded his fifth double-double of the season scoring a game high 22 points and tying a game-high with 10 rebounds. The senior shot the over fifty percent from the floor for the second consecutive game this time draining 8 of his 15 attempts. For the tournament Dixon averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 51.5% from the floor, 44.4% beyond the arc and 81.8% from the free throw line. His superb two-day performance earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
In addition to Dixon's efforts, Rockford also got solid performances from each of its four other starters. Marlon Sykes was equally impressive scoring 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting including connecting on 3 of his 5 three-point attempts. Sykes added 5 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal to finish out his afternoon. Forward Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill./Belvidere) set a new season-high in points for the second straight game. Fresh off his 13 point performance last night, Wallace poured in 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting while grabbing 2 rebounds, blocking 1 shot and recording 1 steal. Senior Scott Suchy (Genoa, Ill./Genoa-Kingston) added 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Phil Andrade (South Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Trail) continued his impressive play over the last month with perhaps his best effort of the year. Andrade scored 10 points and tied a game-high with 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
With today's victory the Regents improve to 8-4 on the year, which is their best record through 12 games since joining the NACC prior to the 2006-07 season. The men's basketball team will look to add to its win total on Saturday, January 4th when the Regents host the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons at the Seaver Center. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
