ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University women's basketball team returned to action tonight to take on Benedictine University. The Regents arguably outplayed the Eagles for all four quarters of regulation. Unfortunately, Rockford was unable to close out Benedictine at the end of regulation, giving up a buzzer-beating layup, and fell behind immediately in the overtime period. The Regents fell by the final of 91-83 in overtime.
In the first quarter of the game the Regents fell behind 11-4 with five minutes remaining. However, Rockford mounted their comeback going on a 13-3 run to close out the first quarter and take the lead 17-14. Sparking the strong run for Rockford was Talayah Gordon Scott (Rockford, Ill.) with four points. Leading the Regents in the first quarter was Taylor May (East Moline, Ill.) with 5 points and 1 block. Rockford shot over 53% from the field, and holding Benedictine to 28% from the field.
Rockford took their biggest lead of the game early in the second quarter when Mallorie Getzelman (Byron, Ill.) made a layup to push the lead to six points, 23-17, with eight minutes remaining. Both teams traded baskets for most of the quarter but the Regents clung to a one point lead, 37-36, at the half. Leading Rockford at the half was Taylor May with 9 points. Rockford shot over 53% for the half and held Benedictine to just over 38% from the field.
The Eagles came out and took their largest lead of the quarter with just under five minutes remaining of nine points, at 54-45. Rockford fought their way back into the game closing out the quarter on a 15-5 run to again take the lead 60-59. May's buzzer-beating three-point shot gave the Regents the lead. Getzelman and May powered the Rockford offense in the quarter combining to score 17 of the team's 23 points.
The team's traded multiple blows in the final quarter as the largest lead was four points for either team. It was the Regents who found themselves down by four with under two minutes remaining in the game. Again Rockford showed their toughness fighting back to take the lead with 16 seconds remaining in the game. Unfortunately, Benedictine was able to make a layup as the time expired to force overtime.
In overtime, the Regents ran out of gas falling behind by as many as 11 points. Ultimately, Rockford fell by the final of 91-83. Overall, the Regents outshot the Eagles 46.5% to 37.3%.
Leading Rockford offensively were freshman Taylor May scoring a career-high 24 points with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Senior Mallorie Getzelman poured in 23 points with 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Getzleman was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore Nicole Silvers (Byron, Ill.) played a great all-around game recording 13 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Junior Tajanae Key (Glendale Heights, Ill.) grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.
The Rockford University women's basketball team will return to action Saturday, December 10 to take on Marian University at the Seaver Center with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m.
