LISLE, Ill. -
Micah Swanson poured in a career-high 27 points and
Kevin Diemer added 19 points to lead the Regents to a crucial 74-64 road win over the Benedictine University Eagles. Tuesday's game went back and forth throughout, as it featured six ties and 16 lead changes. Statistically the biggest difference between the two teams came at the free throw line. The Regents were +13 at the charity stripe, converting 20 free throw attempts, compared just 7 makes for the Eagles. Rockford also badly outrebounded Benedictine (48-34), which helped lead to extra possessions for the Regents. Rockford fans were also able to witness a bit of history in the game. The moment came with 5:39 left in the second half, when
Kevin Diemer grabbed an offensive rebound and converted on a layup to score the 1,000th point as a Regent. The win moves Rockford back within striking distance of qualifying for the NACC Tournament for the fourth time in the last five years.
- Rockford scored the first five points of the game as a part of a 12-2 run. Zac Centers and Micah Swanson each scored six points to give Rockford an early double-digit advantage.
- The Eagles answered right back with a 14-2 run of their own and took their first lead of the day at 16-14.
- Over the next 8:35 there were 4 ties and a whopping 12 lead changes.
- With Benedictine out in front 33-32 and 3:11 remaining in the first half, Rockford scored the final eight points of the period and took a 40-33 advantage into the break. The Regents did not miss over that span. Kevin Diemer made a pair of three-pointers and Micah Swanson connected on both his free throw attempts.
- However, the Eagles opened the second half on a 13-0 run and regained the lead at 46-40.
- The back and forth nature of the game continued with Rockford outscoring Benedictine 12-2 over a period of 6:30, to jump back in front 52-48. Micah Swanson led the way with eight of Rockford's 12 points.
- The Regents would eventually build their lead up to a game-high 13 points and did not trail the rest of the evening.
- However, there was still plenty of excitement for Regent fans to witness over the remainder of the game. With 5:39 left in regulation, Kevin Diemer corralled an offensive rebound and laid it back in for the 1,000th point of his collegiate career. Diemer becomes just the 26th player in program history to reach the career milestone, and only the 15th to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds.
- Benedictine never got any closer than seven points after that, as Rockford went on to win by a final score of 74-64.
- Micah Swanson recorded his fourth double-double of the season. He finished with a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds. He also added 2 blocks and 1 assist to his totals.
- Kevin Diemer finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.
- Zac Centers added 7 points and 7 rebounds.
