RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team found its way back into the win column on Monday evening with a dramatic 57-55 road win over the Dominican University Stars. The Regents trailed for nearly the entire second half and were down by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter. However, Rockford then proceeded to outscore the Stars 21-9 in the final period and junior Casey Pettit (Rockford, Ill.) drained a pair of clutch free throws with 0.2 seconds remaining to cap off Rockford's amazing come-from-behind victory.
The game remained close for the entire first half as Rockford entered halftime with just a one-point lead. Following a slow start to begin the game, the Regents were able to build their lead up to a game-high 7 points with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter. Rockford used an 11-4 run over a 5-minute span led by 4 points each from Casey Pettit and Taylor May (East Moline, Ill.) to give the Regents a 13-6 lead. The Stars then slowly began to chip away at Rockford's lead and would eventually jump in front by a single point on two separate occasions in the second quarter. However, the Regents responded each time by retaking the lead before ultimately entering halftime with a 25-24 advantage.
Things began to look bleak in the third and the early portion of the fourth quarter as the Stars seemed to take control. Dominican shot 55.6% (10-of-18) from the floor in the third compared to just 27.3% (3-of-11) shooting for the Regents as the Stars took a 10-point lead to enter the fourth quarter. Rockford's woes continued in the early moments of the fourth as Dominican extended its lead to a game-high 14 points at 50-36 with just 8:33 remaining. However from that moment on, Rockford buckled down defensively as the Stars scored just 5 points the remainder of the evening. The Regents used a 19-5 run capped off by a game-tying three pointer from Nicole Silvers (Byron, Ill.) with just 7 seconds remaining. Senior Mallorie Getzelman (Byron, Ill.) led the charge scoring 10 of the Regents' 19 points during that span. After Dominican was unable to win the game on its next possession, Casey Pettit was fouled with 0.2 seconds remaining giving Rockford one final chance to win the game in regulation. She stepped to the line and proceeded to knock down both free throws to seal Rockford's amazing 57-55 comeback win.
Junior guard Casey Pettit has now put together back-to-back games scoring in double-figures for the first time this season. Pettit scored a team-high 14 points on 3-of-6 shooting, while going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line. She also added 5 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal to her totals.
Mallorie Getzelman and Taylor May were the other two Regents to hit double-figures on Monday. Getzelman also scored a team-high 14 points with 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. May added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
Junior Tajanae Key (Glendale Heights, Ill.) continues to be an excellent all around player for the Regents. Key stuffed the stat sheet once again with 7 points, a team-high 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.
The RU women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, December 31 at Lakeland University. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM.
