ROCKFORD, Ill.-The Rockford University men's basketball team returned to action Saturday to take on Marian University at the Seaver Center for Senior Day. Rockford was looking to make it a memorable day and send off six seniors with their final regular season victory in the Seaver Center. Unfortunately the Regents were unable to pull off the victory against the Sabres falling by the final of 106-100.
The Regents began the game with a three-point shooting barrage connecting on six of them to reach their largest lead of 27-13 with just over 13 minutes remaining in the opening half. John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.) powered the offense with 11 points during the run. However, Rockford could not hold their large lead allowing Marian to completely erase the deficit and take a 46-43 lead into halftime. O'Bryan led with a game-high 19 points at the half. Rockford shot a blistering 53.3% from the floor in the first half and made eight three-point field goals.
Throughout the second half each team traded baskets with neither team taking a lead over five until the final minutes of the half when Marian converted a three-point play to take an 88-81 lead. The Regents answered with a 9-2 run to send the game to overtime on an O'Bryan three-point basket with 3.8 seconds remaining. O'Bryan continued his impressive offensive performance in the second half with 22 points.
In the overtime Marian took the lead immediately and never allowed Rockford to take a lead in the period. The Regents tied the game up multiple times in the period but were unable to get over the hump and take the lead ultimately falling by the final of 106-100.
Leading Rockford offensively was O'Bryan with a career-high 42 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. He also made 7-for-12 from three-point territory. Tony Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.) recorded 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 blocks. Ross Arteaga (Mendota, Ill.) added 12 points with 9 assists and 6 rebounds.
The Rockford University men's basketball team will return to action Wednesday, February 17 to take on Aurora University in Aurora, Ill. with a scheduled start time of 7 p.m.
