ROCKFORD, Ill.-The Rockford University men's basketball team returned to action Wednesday to take on Dominican University at the Seaver Center. Rockford was tied for sixth place coming into the game desperately needing a victory to stay in the conference tournament race. The Regents got the much needed victory cruising to the final of 89-77.
Rockford and Dominican traded baskets to begin the first half until Rockford took the lead with 13 minutes remaining and never surrendered it. Rockford used a 6-0 run to push the lead to seven points with just under eight minutes remaining to give them their largest lead. The Regents ultimately led 45-36 at the half. The Regents had three different players in double-figures in the opening half. Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.), John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.) and Ross Arteaga (Mendota, Ill.) powered the Regents with a combined 37 of the team's 45 points in the first half. Rockford also shot a blistering 53.6% from the field in the opening half and forced eight Dominican turnovers.
In the final half the Regents continually turned to O'Bryan and Wallace and they delivered with 21 and 14 points equating to 35 of the team's 44 second half points. The duo scored 62 of the team's 89 total points. Again, Rockford used their hot-shooting to coast past Dominican making over 51.7% of their shots in the second half. Also, the defense for the Regents held the Stars to only 39.7% from the floor in the game. Rockford led by as many as 14 points in the second half cruising to victory with the final of 89-77.
Offensively Rockford was led by O'Bryan who turned in another impressive performance scoring 34 points and 6 rebounds. Wallace added 28 points on 12-of-15 from the floor and 7 rebounds. Arteaga recorded 11 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
With the outstanding performance O'Bryan eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career. With the feat, he becomes the 22nd member to reach the 1,000-point plateau in the school's 61-year history. He currently sits at 21st all-time with a total of 1,016 points. He is the first player to reach the 1,000-point plateau since 2011. The Regents have five games remaining in the regular season for O'Bryan to improve upon his position on the list.
The Rockford University men's basketball team returns to action Saturday, February 6 to take on Edgewood College in Madison, Wis. with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m.
