ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team played a very tight contest against the Beloit College Buccaneers, but failed to get ahead by the conclusion, losing 66-60. Beloit controlled the lead for a majority of the game and was able to control the paint, dominating in points in the paint and winning the offensive rebound battle. Rockford had an advantage from beyond the arc, shooting 37.5 percent from three, making nine total.
Kyla Wilkerson was the top option on offense, she shot 100% from three (4-4) and finished with a team-high 19 points.
- Beloit opened the scoring, but was met immediately with 8 points from the Regents to make it 8-2 in the middle of the first quarter. Kyla Wilkerson led the scoring with four of those points.
- The Buccaneers pulled the game back within four points before the end of the quarter, knocking down three free throws and a three pointer. Rockford attempted to match those points but only put up four more thanks to a Julie Bailey three pointer and a Kennedy Gaddis free throw. Luckily, the Regents still controlled the lead after one quarter 12-8.
- A three-point barrage from both sides started out the second quarter. Rockford hit three, one from Julie Bailey and back-to-back threes from Kyla Wilkerson shortly after. Beloit scored a pair of threes during the run as well, but the Regents still held the lead at 23-18.
- Once the previous run was over, the Buccaneers caught fire. Beloit captured its first lead of the game and pulled ahead by two before the game hit halftime. Luckily Julie Bailey and Tyra Clark each hit a three pointer to keep Rockford within striking distance going into the break. RU trailed Beloit 31-29.
- Beloit started the second half on a 5-1 run to take a six point lead.
- Rockford spent the rest of the period regularly battling back and trading points with the Buccaneers, earning almost half of its points from the free throw line. Down by six with 2:39 remaining in the quarter, the Regents battled back one more time before the break, going on a 5-2 run with 3 points from Audrina Terhune and a pair of free throws by Tyra Clark to make it 44-41 with one 10-minute quarter remaining.
- RU had a great start to the fourth, tying the game at 48-48 with 6:46 remaining. Unfortunately, the Regents would not be able to get close for the rest of the game. Beloit held Rockford at a distance and managed to finish the game with little trouble, earning the win 66-60.
- Kyla Wilkerson led the team in points with 19. She shot 6-for-8 from the field and 4-for-4 from the 3-point line. She also had 5 steals.
- Tyra Clark had 8 points and a team-high 14 rebounds with 4 assists and 5 steals.
- Katie Paredes had 13 rebounds and 6 points
- Julie Bailey hit a trio of three-pointers and four free throws to finish with 13 points.
