ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University men's basketball team returned to action Saturday to take on MSOE in a crucial Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. Coming into the contest the teams were separated by half a game in the NACC standings. Rockford was unable to get anything going in the second half shooting 27.8% and ultimately losing by the final of 75-60.

Throughout the first half each team played evenly trading baskets and the largest lead for either team at eight points. Both teams played strong defense in the opening half not allowing either team to shoot over 40% from the field. Rockford forced 7 turnovers to MSOE forcing 10 turnovers. The Regents found themselves with a four-point deficit with five minutes remaining and tightened up their defense only allowing the Raiders to score one point in those final five minutes of the half. This allowed them to close the gap and end the first half with a 29-29 score. Again, the second half started similar to the first with each team trading leads until the six-minute mark when MSOE took control of the contest with a 20-9 run to finish the game. Ultimately, the Regents lost by the final of 75-60. John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.) continually carried Rockford in the second half scoring 18 of his 24 points in the half. 

Leading Rockford was O'Bryan with a game-high 24 points and 7 rebounds. With the performance he is currently 18 points shy of 1,000 for his career. Tony Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Ross Arteaga (Mendota, Ill.) was the only other Regent in double-figures with 12 points and 7 rebounds.

The Rockford University men's basketball team returns to action February 3 to take on Dominican University at the Seaver Center with a scheduled start time of 7 p.m.