ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (15-8, 9-7 NACC) fell 80-71 on Wednesday night to the Concordia University Chicago Cougars (14-9, 11-6 NACC) to close out the regular season and secure the #9 seed in the NACC Tournament. Wednesday's game was the definition of a back and forth affair, as it featured a whopping 10 lead changes and 11 ties. Statistically the game was extremely tight in nearly every category with neither team really able to separate itself much. However, one key area where the Cougars were able to find some separation was on the offensive glass. Concordia Chicago grabbed 16 offensive rebounds compared to just 12 for the Regents. This in part helped lead to CUC taking nine more shots, making seven more shots and finishing with eight more second chance points than Rockford. Ultimately however, the game was decided in the final 4:30 when the Cougars scored 12 straight points to propel themselves to victory. The win gives CUC a share of the NACC Regular Season Championship and the top seed in the conference tournament.
- The Cougars opened the game on a quick 8-3 run over the first four minutes to jump out to an early lead.
- Rockford responded with a 5-0 run in a span of just over a minute to knot the game at 8-8. DJ Bonds led the way with three points and Jaden Bell added two.
- After CUC retook a two-point advantage, Charles Burnell scored five straight points, including a triple at the 13:22 mark, to give Rockford its first lead of the game.
- The Regents would eventually build their lead up to a game-high five points after TJ Lacey hit his first triple of the day with 11:22 remaining in the first half.
- With Rockford still leading by five and 6:22 left in the half, the Cougars scored five straight to tie the game at 29-29. CUC would then retake the lead at 34-33 with 3:10 left in the first half.
- However, the Regents scored the final five points of the first half to grab a 42-41 edge heading into the break. DJ Bonds led the way with three and TJ Lacy scored the other two points to give Rockford the lead.
- The second half was more of the same with the Regents and Cougars continually battling back and forth.
- After Concordia Chicago scored the first four points of the second half, Rockford's Brandon Emerick drained his fourth three-pointer of the game to once again tie it at 45-45 with 17:36 left.
- Emerick's three was yet another crucial three-pointer in school history, as it tied the Rockford University made three-pointer record for a career set back in 1991 by Mike Szewcykowski (271).
- The game continued to go back and forth over the next 13 minutes with neither team leading by more than three points.
- Unfortunately, with Rockford clinging to a 69-68 lead, Concordia Chicago scored the next 12 points to take and 11-point lead with only a minute remaining.
- Rockford was able to knock two points off the Cougar lead, but it was not enough, as the Cougars went on to win the game by a final score of 80-71.
- Brandon Emerick finished with a team-high 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. Emerick also tied the school record for made three-pointers in a career (271).
- TJ Lacey had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
- DJ Bonds tallied 10 points and 1 rebound.
- Charles Burnell added 9 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.
- Micah Swanson had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks and 1 assist.
The Rockford University men's basketball team has secured the #9 seed in the NACC Tournament and will travel to play the #8 seed Edgewood College Eagles on Saturday, February 19 at 4 PM. The winner will advance to play at the #1 seed Concordia University Chicago Cougars on Tuesday, February 22 at 7 PM.
