ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (10-10, 9-6 NACC) took down the Marian University Sabres (4-15, 2-12 NACC) on Thursday night by a final score of 80-72. The final score appeared to be closer than the game actually was as the Regents took control early and never looked back. Rockford would go into the half up 42-29. The Regents were up by as many as 19 late in the second. However, the Sabres gave Rockford a bit of a scare toward the end but the Regents managed to stay composed and walk away with the 80-72 victory. Rockford was dominate in the paint on Thursday night as they outscored Marian 56-24 in that category as well as outrebounded the Sabres 51-22. The Regents shot above 50% in each half to finish the game going 53.2% on the night. With the win RU is now in sole possession of third place in the NACC by a half a game.
- Neither team was able to gain much ground as it was locked at 10-10 five minutes into the game.
- From there Kevin Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) helped propel the Regents on an 8-2 run accounting for six of Rockford's points during that span.
- With Rockford finding itself up 18-16 the Regents applied the pressure by storming out to a 9-0 run to take a commanding 27-16 lead with 6:57 to play in the half.
- The Regents were resilient making the most of their opportunities as Kevin Diemer converted on an and-one to put RU up 40-22 with 2:05 on the clock.
- To end the first half Kivontay Shaw (Galesburg, Ill.) found Brandon Emerick (Elkhart, Ind.) just outside the paint on a no look pass from half court. It would be Jeremiah Stewart (Chicago, Ill.) who capped off the play as Emerick tossed up the alley-oop for Stewart to throw down.
- Rockford would go into the half up 42-29.
- In the first half RU shot an impressive 54.3% from the floor including converting all four of its chances from the line.
- Kevin Diemer led the way in the first half for the Regents with 13 points on 6-of-10 from the field. Brandon Emerick and Will Adams (Chicago, Ill.) put together a nice half as they had 8 and 7 points respectively.
- Immediately to start the second half Emerick stole the ball from Marian on the inbound pass and laid it in to continue the momentum for RU.
- The Sabres did not go down without a fight as they started to creep back into the game as Rockford was up 50-39 with 12:34 to play.
- With the Sabres trailing 61-50 Tony Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) scored the next eight points for RU including knocking down a three to increase the Regents lead to 68-50 with 6:35 left on the clock.
- Marian managed to give the Regents a bit of a scare going on a 12-4 run to trail the Regents 76-65 with 1:37 remaining.
- The Regents were able to hold onto their lead to go on to win by a final score of 80-72.
- With the win Rockford is now in sole possession of third place in the NACC by a half game.
- Rockford outrebounded Marian a staggering 51-22. As well as outscored the Sabres in the paint 56-24.
- Kevin Diemer led the way for the Regents posting his fifth double-double of the season with a game-high 23 points on 9-for-16 from the field and 12 rebounds.
- Tony Diemer earned his fourth double-double of the season tying his brother, Kevin, with a game-high 12 rebounds. Tony also recorded 18 points on 7-of-14 from the floor and added 3 assists.
- Brandon Emerick played well scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added 2 assists and 2 steals.
- Will Adams contributed 10 points off the bench while adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
The Rockford University men's basketball team returns to action when it travels to take on Benedictine on Saturday, February 2. Tip-off is set for 4:15 PM.
