ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University men's basketball team returned to action today to take on Lakeland University in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. Rockford was hoping to earn their fourth NACC victory and continue to push for a conference tournament bid. The Regents were outstanding in the second half of this game outscoring the Muskies 56-38 en route to a 96-75 victory.
To begin the first half Rockford opened up a ten point lead, 20-10, in the first eight minutes of the game. Ben Weber (South Beloit, Ill.) and Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.) led the charge with 7 and 6 points. The Muskies were able to fight their way back into the game trailing by only three points at halftime, 40-37. Tony Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) led the way with 14 points and 3 rebounds. Wallace had 12 points and 9 rebounds. Weber added 10 points and 2 rebounds. Rockford shot a blistering 54.8% from the field.
The second half began with Rockford seeing their lead evaporate as Lakeland was able to knot the game at 42-42 with just over a minute underway. The Regents had gained a two point lead, 48-46, when they went on a quick 9-0 run to extend their lead to 11 points, 57-46, with 13:42 remaining. Trae Blumhorst (Mendota, Ill.) scored 7 of the 9 points on the run. Rockford only allowed Lakeland to get as close as 61-53 the rest of the second half. The Regents ballooned the lead to as high as 26 points. With 2:28 remaining in the game Zach Wallace grabbed a defensive rebound for his 20th of the game, surpassing his previous career-high of 19. Rockford ultimately closed out the game by the final of 96-75. The Regents shot an outstanding 62.2% from the field in the second half, good for 58.8% overall.
Leading Rockford for the game was Zach Wallace with an outrageous 34 points, 20 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists. He was 15-of-21 shooting from the field and added the second three-pointer of his career. Wallace's monstrous game is the first 30-20 game for the Regents since before the school joined the NACC in 2006.
Tony Diemer was outstanding again tonight adding 33 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. He shot 14-of-23 from the field. Ben Weber posted 15 points and 5 assists, including three triples. Trae Blumhorst recorded 9 points, on 4-of-4 shooting, 5 assists and 3 steals.
The Rockford University men's basketball team returns to action Tuesday, January 17 to take on Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Ill. with a scheduled start time of 7 p.m.
