MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Rockford University women's basketball team won its second straight game with a 64-49 victory over the Mount Mary University Blue Angels on Wednesday afternoon. Following a difficult first half, the Regents hit their stride in the third an fourth quarters. The Regents shot 50% (14-for-28) from the floor in the second half and outscored the Blue Angels 40-20 as Rockford improved to 2-1 on the season.
Rockford really struggled to find any rhythm offensively in the first half. The ladies shot just 35% from the floor and connected on only one free throw in the opening 20 minutes. However, the Regents were able to keep the game within reach in part because of their smothering defense and advantage inside, outscoring the Blue Angels 18-8 in the paint. Mount Mary never trailed in the first half but were unable to put Rockford away as the Blue Angels entered halftime with only a 29-24 advantage.
Things began to turn in Rockford's favor in the third quarter. The Regents outscored the Blue Angels 24-10 in the period and shot a blistering 47.6% from the field, while holding Mount Mary to just 23.1% shooting. Senior Mallorie Getzelman (Byron, Ill.) outscored the entire Mount Mary team in the quarter as she poured in 16 points knocking down both of her three-pointers and all eight of her free throw attempts as Rockford took a 48-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
Rockford continued to build on its momentum in the fourth quarter as the Regents extended their lead to a game-high 19 points. Rockford shot a sizzling 53.8% from the floor and forced eight turners as the ladies cruised to a 64-49 win. Freshman Taylor May (East Moline, Ill.) caught fire in the quarter scoring 10 points as she went a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor to score as many points as the entire Blue Angel team.
Mallorie Getzelman led all scorers for the third straight game this season with 25 points including going 9-for-10 at the free throw line. She also added 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block to round out her afternoon. Through three games Getzelman is the leading scorer in the conference averaging 29.3 points per game and also leads the NACC in free throw percentage among players averaging at least 3 attempts per game shooting 93.3%.
Freshman Taylor May and sophomore Nicole Silvers (Byron, Ill.) also both played well for Rockford. May has scored in double-figures in all three games this season including pouring in a career-high 18 points on an impressive 9-for-15 shooting against Mount Mary. She also added 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Silvers had a solid all-around game with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The Regents return to the court on Tuesday, November 29 for their home opener against the Beloit College Buccaneers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM in the Seaver Center.
