ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford University men's basketball team looked to continue their great early season play and build off a big win Thursday night against Aurora University, who was picked to finish first in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference this season. They faced the Marian University Sabres (4-3, 3-0 in the NACC) who was picked to finish third in the conference.
Rockford started off with an early 7-2 lead thanks to buckets from David Dixon (Bellwood, Ill./St. Joseph), Phil Andrade (South Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Trail), and an old fashion three point play from Marlon Sykes (Chicago, Ill./John Marshall). Marian brought things closer with a three pointer to make it 10-9 after 5 minutes of play. Marian took their first lead of the game, 13-11, after hitting a two pointer with 13 minutes left in the game. Their lead grew to 17-11 before Ronald Farmer-Blanchard (Chicago, Ill./Thornton) hit one of two free throws. Marian answered on their next possession with a three pointer only for Rockford's John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky./Madison Central) to answer with a three of his own. Marian led 24-15 ten minutes into the game. Rockford's struggles continued and Marian increased their lead 30-15 with 7:30 minutes left in the first half. The Regents six minute scoreless streak was ended by Sykes, who hit a free throw to bring Rockford within 14 with five minutes left in the first half. Sykes then ended the Regents eight minute streak without a field goal with a basket with three minutes left in the half, bringing the score to 32-19 Marian. Scott Suchy (Genoa, Ill./Genoa-Kingston) came up big for Rockford at the end of the first half making six consecutive points for the Regents. Despite this Marian lead 38-25 after the first half. Rockford finished the half shooting 30% from the field and 54% from the line. They also made two of five three pointers. Suchy lead the Regents with seven points and was followed closely by Sykes six points and Dixon's five points.
Sykes started the Regents off on the right path with a layup on their first possession of the second half. After a couple of Marian free throws Dixon hit a big three pointer for the Regents to pull within ten points. He then made two free throws two possessions later. After Dixon hit one of two free throws the Sabres lead 46-35 with 15 minutes left in the game. Suchy hit a fade away two pointer a short time later to bring Marian's lead back to 11 points. After a Sabre basket Sykes made a fall away layup and also hit the free throw to bring the Regents to within ten with 12 and a half minutes left in the game. A couple of possessions later Suchy hit two free throws to bring the Regents within eight points. After a Marian offensive foul Suchy hit another two pointer to bring the score 50-44 Marian with ten minutes left in the game. Both teams traded a couple of baskets before Suchy again hit a fade away two pointer to bring the Regents with four points but Marian answered with a big three pointer in the corner. They continued to hit shots and regained their 12 point lead with eight minutes left in the game. Andrade cut the lead down to nine with a basket and a free throw. Both teams continued to battle and Marian's 12 point lead remained with five minutes left in the game. After a pair of missed Marian free throws Suchy hit a huge three pointer to bring Rockford within nine points. Marian missed another shot and Andrade quickly scored on a layup. The Sabres hit a two pointer but Suchy answered with another three pointer to bring the score to 67-61 Marian. Sykes hit a pair of free throws and played great defense on the next possession to force an air ball. Rockford and Marian would go back and forth the rest of the game but the Regents were not able to get the score any closer. Marian won the game 78-70.
Suchy led the Regents with 21 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Dixon scored 19 points and added in seven rebounds. Sykes scored 14 points for Rockford and finished with six rebounds and four assists. Rockford shot 37% from the line for the game and 28% from behind the line.
Rockford is off for a week and play next on Saturday December 14th at Wisconsin Lutheran at 2:00 pm. They then have another week off before they continue conference play at home against Edgewood on December 21st at 2:00 pm.
