LISLE, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team continued its tough stretch of games on Tuesday evening with a trip to Benedictine University. The Regents knew they would have to be at the top of their game in order to knock off the Eagles, who entered the matchup with a 6-1 overall record including a perfect 3-0 NACC mark. The game turned out to be a tale of two completely different halves as the Regents played extremely well in the first half but the Eagles ultimately pulled away in the second en route to a 74-53 win.
The Regents battled with the Eagles for the entire first quarter as teams traded baskets nearly the entire way as neither school led by more than 4 points. Rockford's starting five scored all 16 of the teams points led by 6 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting performance by sophomore Tajanae Key (Glendale Heights, Ill.).
The second quarter saw much of the same as Rockford was outplaying Benedictine heading into halftime. Guards Mallorie Getzelman (Byron, Ill.) and Amanda Davis (Mundelein, Ill.) were a big reason why as the duo scored 11 of Rockford's 13 points in the quarter including connecting on 3-of-4 three-point attempts. Entering halftime Rockford had an edge in both shooting percentage (42.9% to 38.7%) and three-point shooting percentage (50% to 11.1%); however, despite outshooting the Eagles, Rockford would enter the break tied 29-29.
Unfortunately Rockford was unable to build upon its momentum in the third quarter as it was the Eagles who took control of the game. Benedictine used an 11-0 run early in the period to grab a commanding 42-31 advantage. Rockford was never able to get back into the game as the Eagles continued to build upon their lead pushing it to as many as 24 points before ultimately winning by a final score of 74-53.
Senior Amanda Davis was Rockford's leading scorer with 13 points. Davis connected on 4-of-7 shot attempts and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Since making the transition to coming off the bench, Davis has been playing her best basketball of the season. Over the last two games she is averaging 15.5 points while shooting 58.8% from the field, 75.0% from three-point range and a perfect 100% at the free throw line.
Mallorie Getzelman and Tajanae Key were the other two Regents to crack double-figures in scoring. Key tallied a season-high 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Getzelman also scored 11 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
The RU women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, December 12 at Marian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
