ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (11-14, 9-11 NACC) lost 87-80 to conclude its season Saturday afternoon against Illinois Tech (12-13, 10-10 NACC). Unfortunately, the Regents were taken out of playoff contention with the loss to the Scarlet Hawks. Rockford fought hard but had trouble sustaining a lead as the Scarlet Hawks offense kept pressing. The Regents out-worked Illinois Tech in the paint with 50 points coming from down low compared to Illinois Tech's 38. Defensively, the Regents showed outstanding determination out-rebounding the Scarlet Hawks 42 to 30. Kivontay Shaw was dialed in, leading the scoring with 21 points going 6-9 from field goal range, 4-5 from 3-point range and 5-6 from the line. Nathaniel Shead added 17 points for the Rockford offense. Jamar Rivera put on an impressive showing in his last game for the Regents with 14 points.

• Rockford jumped out to a quick 3-2 lead with Nathaniel Shead hitting a 3-pointer for the Regents to get them started.
• Illinois Tech took the lead 6-5 after a made 3-pointer with 17:53 left in the first half.
• Nathaniel Shead dropped another clutch 3-point basket to take the lead 9-7.
• Rockford's lead did not last long as Illinois Tech answered with a 3-point bucket of its own to regain the lead 10-9.
• The lead changed between teams a couple more times as both teams played tough defense. 
• With 12:30 left to play in the first half, Randy Stegenga came through for the Regents with a massive put-back dunk for Rockford to take the 15-14 lead.
• The Scarlet Hawks went on a 3-1 scoring run to create some space, leading 21-17 with 9:48 left in the first half.
• Kivontay Shaw and Brandon Emerick hit back-to-back 3-point baskets to tie it at 24-24.
• Illinois Tech once again took the lead 29-26 with a 3-pointer, but Rockford's Jamar Rivera answered with a 3-point basket to tie it 29-29 with 6:38 left in the first half.
• The Scarlet Hawks opened it up 37-31 with a 3-1 scoring run.
• Rockford ended the first half with a 3-0 scoring run to trail Illinois Tech 37-35.
• The second half started with a strong showing of defense as nobody scored in the first three minutes.
• Illinois Tech started the scoring with two made free throws to increase its lead 39-35.
• The Regents rallied to take back the lead 42-41 after a 3-1 scoring run capped off by Ashton Singleton sinking a 3-pointer with 14:29 left in the game.
• The Scarlet Hawks started to make a convincing run with a 5-0 scoring run to lead 53-42 with 10:59 left in the game.
• Rockford not about to give up, making a 4-0 scoring run to trail 53-50. 
• Kivontay Shaw kept the Regents alive with two huge 3-pointers for Rockford to trail a close 63-58 and 6:29 left to play.
• Brandon Emerick got in on the 3-point action with one at the 5:45 mark to be down 64-61.
• However, Illinois Tech increased its lead 74-63 with a 4-1 scoring run.
• Rockford showed tremendous effort by not giving in to the Scarlet Hawks offense. Jamar Rivera drained two 3-point baskets late in the game for the Regents to trail 77-70 with 1:35 left to play.
• Jamar Rivera was hot, sinking another 3-pointer to be down 79-75.
• Rockford's Kivontay Shaw made a late push with a big 3-point bucket, but the Regents still trailed a close 82-79.
• Despite the Regents' efforts, Illinois Tech prevailed 87-80.

• Kivontay Shaw led the team with 21 points. He also finished with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
• Nathaniel Shead recorded 17 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
• Jamar Rivera ended his last game for the Regents with 14 points and 6 rebounds.