FOND DU LAC, Wis. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (15-7, 9-6 NACC) picked up a thrilling 83-82 road win on Monday night over Marian University (14-8, 10-7 NACC). The win moves the Regents all the way up into a tie for fifth place in the NACC standings and puts Rockford just 0.5 game out of first place in the win column. It was also Rockford's third win by four or less points in the last seven games. In a game that was all about offense, it was ultimately Rockford's defense that was the difference down the stretch. The Regents were able to force 22 turnovers, including a pair of Sabre giveaways with less than a minute remaining. Rockford was able to convert those 22 turnovers into 20 points, including three crucial points at the end of the game, to seal the win and the regular season sweep of Marian.
- The game was extremely tight over the opening ten minutes of the first half, with neither team able to gain much separation.
- With Rockford holding a 21-18 lead and 9:11 left in the half, Brandon Emerick hit the 264th three-pointer of his career to break the NACC record.
- The Regents would build their lead up to as many as ten points at 32-22 following back-to-back triples from Brandon Emerick.
- However, the Sabres responded with a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to retake the lead at 34-32.
- With Marian still holding a 39-36 advantage, Rockford scored the next nine points to once again jump back in front. Brandon Emerick led the way with five points, while TJ Lacey added three and Vincent Eugene chipped in one.
- The two school traded buckets the remainder of the half, as Rockford took a 50-44 advantage into the break.
- Unfortunately, Marian began the second half with 16-6 run to leap back in front 60-56 with 12:13 remaining in regulation.
- Rockford was only briefly able to retake the lead at the 11:23 mark before Marian went back ahead and looked as though it would not relinquish the lead.
- With just 1:33 remaining and Marian still holding a 79-75 advantage, Rockford's Charles Burnell simply took over the game.
- Burnell made back-to-back layups to tie the game and then converted the and-one free throw on his second layup, to put the Regents out in front 80-79 with 53 seconds left.
- After a Jaden Bell steal on the ensuing Marian possession, Burnell went 1-of-2 at the line to give Rockford an 81-79 lead with 26 seconds left.
- Burnell then grabbed a defensive rebound off a Sabre miss on their next possession, before tossing the ball up the court to Brandon Emerick, who laid it in the basket to put Rockford up 83-79 with 3 seconds left.
- Marian would hit a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer, to give us our final score of 83-82.
- TJ Lacey finished with a game-high 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
- Brandon Emerick finished with 16 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds. Emerick also broke the NACC record for made three-pointers in a career (267).
- DJ Bonds added 12 points and 3 rebounds off the bench.
- Charles Burnell had 9 points, 3 assists and 1 rebound.
- Jaden Bell tallied 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 assist.
