ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team played a very heated contest to a final score of 62-69 against the St. Norbert College Green Knights on Saturday afternoon. The Regents looked good, carrying a two-point lead into halftime, but ultimately fell after a pair of St. Norbert runs put the game out of reach. Despite five different Regents hitting double-digit point totals, the Green Knights capitalized on turnovers and dominated in the paint, winning those battles 22-4 and 36-8 respectively.
Micah Swanson captured a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds, while
Charles Burnell led the team in points with 15, including a 4-for-8 (50 percent) mark from the three-point line.
- It was a slow start to the contest for both sides, going three minutes without the first basket.
- SNC opened the scoring with a free throw, and both sides had their offenses catch fire. Rockford and St. Norbert scored a combined 17 points over a 2:45 span. Charles Burnell hit three three-point baskets and Micah Swanson converted an and-one opportunity for the Regents to take the lead 12-8.
- Burnell's third three started a Rockford 10-3 run to grow the lead further. The Regents led 19-11.
- St. Norbert didn't let it stand however, slowly working its way back into the game and pulling within one point at the 3:56 mark with a three-pointer. While within striking distance, St. Norbert never took the lead away from Rockford, who held on and went into the half up 32-30. Ashton Singleton and Mateo Fernandez Solari kept the lead with the Regents with a pair of three-point baskets before the break.
- Both sides came out of the half firing, trading baskets and the lead on a 12-11 SNC run. Charles Burnell and Zac Centers hit one and two threes, respectively for the Regents. Rockford was in the lead 43-42.
- St. Norbert was able to tame the Regents offense to get themselves an 11-3 run and the lead, pulling ahead 53-46.
- SNC kept the Regents at a distance, trading baskets back and forth, leaving the score at 59-52.
- The Green Knights eventually went on a run, taking over the last few minutes of the game. A 13-4 run by St. Norbert put the game out of reach, despite a strong effort by the Rockford offense. Zac Centers and Mateo Fernandez Solari each hit a three, but Rockford dropped its first home game of the season 69-62.
- Micah Swanson finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. He also had 3 blocks and 2 assists.
- Charles Burnell led the team in points with 15. He shot 50% from beyond the arc, going 4-for-8.
- Mateo Fernandez Solari nearly had a double-double of his own, scoring 10 points and dishing out 9 assists. He also grabbed 6 rebounds.
