RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team notched its first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win of the season on Wednesday against the Dominican University Stars. After a tough shooting performance in the first half, the Regents kicked it up a notch in the final twenty minutes scoring 47 points and knocking down 53.7% of their shots. Rockford controlled nearly every facet of the game including outrebounding Dominican 60-36 en route to a 78-56 victory.
The game did not begin well for the Regents as they trailed for the majority of the first half. Rockford's early struggles to score points allowed the Stars to take their largest lead of the night at 7-2. However, things would get better for the Regents as the half went on. Senior Erin Ryczek (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah) scored 8 of her team's 10 points on the Regents 10-1 to give Rockford its largest lead of the half at 26-19 with 3:23 remaining. The Stars were able to chip away at the lead in the remaining 3 minutes as the Regents went into halftime leading 31-26.
The Regents came out in the second half and as they completely controlled the final 20 minutes. Rockford used a 31-8 run that spaned 12 minutes to extend its lead to 28 points and essential seal the victory. During the run, the Regents leaned on their smothering defense which surrendered just two baskets and shut down the Stars. This allowed the Regents' offense to find its rhythm as well. Nine different Regents scored during the run with senior Jessica Bjerning (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) leading the way with 8 points. Rockford would push its lead to a game-high 30 points at the 2:37 mark before ultimately winning by a final score of 78-56.
Rockford had 12 different players score with 5 players hitting double-figures. Senior Lindsay Lengjak (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) notched her second double-double of the season leading the team with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Lengjak has scored in double-figures in all five games this season and is the NACC's leading scorer averaging 19.2 points per game. Erin Ryczek scored 13 points on an impressive 4-for-8 shooting performance including draining 50% of her three-point attempts. Senior forward Jessica Bjerning probably turned in the best all-around performance of the evening. Bjerning scored 10 points with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Callie Rezin (Rockford, Ill./Lutheran) added a season-high 10 points with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Senior guard Cierra Johnson (St. Louis, Mo./O'Fallon Township) gave the Regents a boost off the bench pouring in 10 points, 2 rebounds and an assist.
The women's basketball team will be at home on Saturday, December 7th against Marian University. Tip-off between the Regents and Sabres is set for 4:15 p.m. in the Seaver Center.
