ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford University women's basketball team started its season on Saturday when it hosted the Eureka College Red Devils (1-1). The Regents were looking to start the season off strong; however, the Red Devil offense had too much firepower. In a game where the Regents were able to force a plethora of turnovers RU still struggled to execute on the offensive side of the ball. With the Regents trailing by 14 points at the end of the first quarter it was too much a deficit to come back from. Thus resulting in Rockford falling to EC by a final of 85-62.
At the start of the game the Red Devils came out hot going on a 9-2 run. The Regents could not find much of an answer during the first quarter as Rockford saw itself trailing by 24-10. RU came out strong in the second quarter shooting much better. The Regents were able to get going offensively in the second quarter in part to freshman Neve Yerk (Belvidere, Ill.) who had 8 points on 4-7 shooting. Eureka's offense was too much as they shot an impressive 48.6% from the field in the first half, while Rockford shot 36.1%.
In the third quarter the Regents came out with a lot of grit and got after it defensively. Continuing to force the Red Devils to turn the ball over Rockford was able to capitalize and go on a 7-0 run with 7:52 left in the quarter. Helping to cut the lead to 48-39 was senior Tajanae Key (Glendale Heights, Ill.) forcing the Red Devils to make errant plays. Senior Casey Pettit (Rockford, Ill.) hit a big three to bring RU within striking distance. The Regents could not keep up with Eureka's hot shooting as EC ended the day shooting 46.8% from the floor; while Rockford managed just 33.3%.
Leading the Regents on the day were Neve Yerk who came off the bench scoring a team-high 12 points in her first collegiate game. Senior Katie Hart (Davis Junction, Ill.) also came off the bench adding 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Tajanae Key put together a strong showing tallying 6 points, 6 rebounds, a team-high 6 assists and a game-high 5 steals.
The Rockford University women's basketball team returns to action Saturday, November 25 when it starts its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play traveling to take on Wisconsin Lutheran. The game is scheduled for a 4:15 PM start.
