ROCKFORD, Ill. - With a playoff birth on the line, the Rockford College women's basketball team desperately needed a win to remain in the contention for the 8th and final Northern Athletics Conference tournament spot. The Regents were also celebrating senior day Saturday afternoon as Rockford welcomed the Edgewood College Eagles to the Seaver center.
Rockford's lone senior, forward Nicole Lawler (Pearl City, ill./Pearl City) scored the games first basket as the Regents climbed to an early 10-4 lead 5 minutes into the game. Edgewood got themselves back in the game by getting to the free throw line. The Eagles went 9-9 from the free throw line in as Rockford entered the half with a 32-26 lead.
The Regents opened the 2nd half on a quick 11-6 capped off by a 3-point basket as the shot clock expired by junior forward Lindsay Lengjak (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) which gave the Regents their biggest lead of the game at 43-32 with 15:37 remaining. After that basket, Edgewood turned to the full court press to get back in the game. Edgewood used a 28-16 run to tie the game at 59-59 with 3:12 left in the contest. After trading baskets for the remaining three minutes, the Regents found themselves needing to go the full legenth of the court with seven seconds left with the score knotted at 63.
After inbounding the ball, junior guard Erin Ryczek (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah) got fouled with four seconds remaining sending her to the line for two free throws. After missing the first, Ryczek drained the 2nd free throw to give the Regents a one point lead as Edgewood's final shot found the side of the rim as time expired giving the Regents a 64-63 victory. Despite the loss, Edgewood was able to force 28 Regent turnovers while going 20-21 from the free throw line.
Rockford was led by Lengjak who came off the bench to score 15 points and grab 5 rebounds. Junior guard Sherrell Woods (Rockford, Ill./East) added 13 points and 4 assists. Lone senior Nicole Lawler finished with 11 points and 2 blocks. With the win, the Regents are in the drivers seat for the final playoff spot. Rockford can clinch the final spot with a win in the season finale February 13 against Dominican University at the Seaver center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM
