AURORA, Ill. - The Regents women's basketball team (0-1, 0-1 NACC) dropped its season opener 80-56 on the road Friday evening to the NACC leading Aurora University Spartans (2-0, 2-0 NACC). Rockford played very well for a good portion of the game, but ultimately the Spartans proved to be too much for the Regents. Statistically the game was pretty much even in nearly every major category. The Spartans had a slight edge in field goal percentage (34.9%-32.8%), while Rockford led in made three-pointers (9-8). Rockford also outrebounded Aurora 49-48. However, the Spartans had substantial advantages in both points off turnovers (31-12) and made free throws (28-5).
- The first quarter featured four lead changes and was played within just an 8-point span.
- Naynay Clark scored Rockford's first five points of the season. She got things started with a triple just over two minutes into the game, to give her team a 3-2 lead. After the Spartans retook the lead, Clark then drained a jumper with 6:17 left in the quarter and put the Regents back in front 5-4.
- Unfortunately, Aurora promptly went on a 9-1 run over the next 3:02 to take its largest lead of the quarter at 13-6.
- Rockford answered right back with an 8-2 run of its own and pulled back within one with just under two minutes left in the period. Au'Drina Terhune led the way with 5 points, while Evelyn Abundes added three points over that span.
- The Spartans would extend their lead to as many as six points over the final 90 seconds, only to see Rockford pull back within three points heading into the second period.
- The Regents struggled to find their rhythm early on in the second quarter, as Aurora opened with a 6-0 run to make it 27-18 with 7:04 remaining in the first half.
- Aurora built its lead up to as many as 15 points, before ultimately heading into the break with a 40-28 advantage.
- Rockford again got off to a slow start in the third quarter, as Aurora outscored the Regents 15-4 over the first 3:30 to extend its lead to 55-32.
- The Spartans led by as many as 30 points in the period, taking a 65-35 lead into the fourth.
- Despite the large deficit, Rockford continued to fight and outscored the Spartans 21-15 in the final quarter.
- Kiara Stevens caught fire in the period, scoring eight of Rockford's 21 points, including a pair of triples.
- However, it was not enough, as the Regents fell 80-56.
The women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, February 6 at Aurora University. Tip-off is set for 5 PM.
