RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (6-3, 5-1 NACC) picked up an 84-78 road victory on Saturday evening and swept the season series from the Dominican University Stars (1-5, 0-5 NACC). The Regents led by as many as 19 points in the first half but had to fight and claw for the win, after Dominican battled back and retook the lead midway through the second half. Ultimately the difference in the game was Rockford's ability to get to the free throw line and rebound the basketball. The Regents shot 14 more free throws than the Stars and made more free throws, 25, than Dominican attempted, 20. Rockford also outrebounded Dominican 46-32, leading to a 12-1 advantage on second chance points.
- Dominican knocked down three of its first four shots to take a quick 7-2 lead less than three minutes into the game.
- Fortunately, Rockford scored the next ten points to leap out to a 12-7 advantage. Five different Regents each scored two points during the run.
- With Rockford still leading by four points and just over 11 minutes remaining in the half, the Regents went on a 15-0 run to take a commanding 36-17 lead. Kevin Diemer went 4-for-5 and led the Regents with 9 points during that 5:37 stretch.
- The Stars were able to slightly cut into the Regents' lead over the last five minutes, as Rockford led 46-32 at the half.
- The second half did not get off to a good start for Rockford. The Regents were outscored 24-9 over the first 7:53 and now trailed for the first time since the 15:59 mark in the first half.
- Dominican's lead was very short lived though, as Vincent Eugene scored on a putback layup on Rockford's ensuing possession.
- Rockford then went on to score eight of the next nine points to extend its lead back to eight with 8:13 remaining in the game. Micah Swanson and Nick Phillips each scored a trio of points to help get the Regents back on track.
- The Regents would push their lead up to as many as ten points before the Stars came storming back. With Rockford holding a 69-59 advantage, Dominican used a 14-4 run over the next 4:45 to knot the game at 73-73, with only 2:35 remaining.
- Rockford remained calm and promptly retook the lead on the very next possession, when senior Kivontay Shaw knocked down a jumper to make it a 75-73 game. Following a timeout, De'Marius Bonds found the bottom of the net off an assist from Shaw, as Rockford now led by four at the 1:51 mark.
- The Stars never really threatened the remainder of the game, as Rockford went on to win by a final score of 84-78.
The Regents (5-1 NACC) will head to Benedictine University (5-1 NACC) next weekend for a two-game series to determine 2020-21 NACC South Division Regular Season Champion. Friday's matchup has a scheduled start time of 7 PM and Saturday's game will tip-off at 5 PM.
