ROCKFORD, Ill.- Looking to build on its two game winning streak, the Rockford University men's basketball team returned home Saturday afternoon to face the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. Despite a big first half for the Regents, the game would come down to the final seconds.

Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.) set the tone for Rockford for the early part of the game by slamming down a dunk 14 seconds into the game. Rockford regained the lead at 17:03 after a jump shot by Kenny Parks (Mascoutah, Ill.). Over the next couple of minutes, the Regents went on a 14-2 run to push the score to 23-12. The run was capped off by a three-point basket by Ross Arteaga (Mendota, Ill.).

Rockford's lead would get to as much as 23 in the first half of the game after another run was finished by a three-pointer by Arteaga. The Cougars were able to fight back towards the end of the half and bring the first half score to 57-43 in favor of Rockford. Parks had 15 in the first half while Wallace led the way with 16.

The Cougars came out in the second half on fire and quickly made a game of it. Concordia Chicago went on a 11-3 run to begin the second half. John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.), who had hit a three-pointer earlier in the Cougars run, ended it by hitting another three-pointer and pushing Rockford's lead back to nine points at the 17:03 mark. It was a back-and-forth affair over the next seven minutes with Rockford holding onto a slim lead throughout it. After a few made free throws, Rockford found itself up by four with just under ten minutes left in the game. The Cougars then hit three-pointers on consecutive possessions to go ahead 82-80.

After losing its long held lead, Rockford fought back. Wallace hit two free throws, O'Bryan hit a jumper, and Trae Blumhorst (Mendota, Ill.) made a free throw and a layup to give Rockford a 87-82 lead after a 7-0 run. The Regents were able to hold onto a slim lead for the next few minutes, until the 1:34 mark when the Cougars hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 92. With 45 seconds left in the game, Concordia Chicago got the ball back and made the go ahead layup. Shortly after, Parks made a layup of his own to tie the game back up. Concordia Chicago answered again and hit a back breaking three-pointer with five seconds left in the game. O'Bryan drove down the court and attempted the game tying three-pointer, but the ball rimmed out, giving Concordia Chicago the 97-94 win.

Wallace led Rockford with 27 points. He also led Rockford with eight rebounds. Parks and O'Bryan both finished with 19 points. Parks grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists, and had two steals. O'Bryan grabbed four rebounds of his own and had six assists. Also in double-digit scoring was Arteaga with 14. 

Rockford next game is on January 3 at 4:15 pm at Concordia Wisconsin. The Regents next home game is on January 10 at 4:15 against Marian.