CHICAGO, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (5-5) ended the 2019 portion of its schedule with a 71-69 road win against the North Park University Vikings (1-8). Rockford led for the majority of the game including the entire second half. The Regents led by as many as 11 points over the final 20 minutes, before North Park put together a late surge to make things interesting in the closing moments. The Vikings hit a triple with just over a minute remaining to make it a one-point Regent lead. Rockford's Brandon Emerick answered right back with his eighth three-pointer of the game, to put the Regents back out in front by four. However, the Vikings continued to fight and would eventually have a chance to tie the game or take the lead with just over three seconds remaining. Fortunately, their three-pointer was off the mark, as Rockford held on for the victory. 

• The Regents opened the game on an 11-6 run, including scoring the first four points of the evening. Four different Regents led the offensive attack, including five points from Nathaniel Shead and three from Addison Bode. 
• The Vikings responded with a 17-5 run of their own over the next five minutes to take their largest lead of the game, at 23-16. 
• North Park's lead remained around six points until late in the first half when Rockford scored nine straight to jump back in front by three. Nathaniel Shead once again led the way, scoring five points, including draining his second triple of the half. 
• The game appeared as though it would enter the break tied, but Zachary Burzawa came up with a huge bucket at the buzzer, to send the Regents into the locker room with a 37-35 advantage. 
• Rockford continued to build upon its momentum early in the second half, using an 11-2 run to take their largest lead of the day. Brandon Emerick opened the half with his third three of the game, while Nathaniel Shead scored five straight points, including connecting on his third triple, to make it a 48-37 game. 
• The RU lead hovered around six points until the Vikings scored five straight to pull back within one, with 64 seconds remaining. 
• Despite all the momentum seemingly on North Park's side, Rockford dug deep and came through on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. 
• Brandon Emerick answered the Vikings' three with one of his own, to extend Rockford's lead back to four points. 
• With Rockford still holding onto a two-point lead and just over three seconds remaining, the Vikings had one final chance to tie the game or take the lead. However, the Vikings' three-point attempt from the top of the arc hit off the back of the rim, as Rockford held on for a 71-69 win. 

• Brandon Emerick led all scorers with 26 points, including draining a career-high 8 three-pointers. Emerick also added a career-high 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. 
• Nathaniel Shead finished with 19 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal.
• Rockford made a season-high 14 (14-of-30) three-pointers. 

The RU men's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, January 4 against Concordia Chicago. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM in the Seaver Center.