ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team captured an 83-73 win over the visiting Judson University Eagles to start the season 1-0. Despite Judson's slight advantage in field goal percentage (50%-45.7%), the Regents were able to cash in with the three a lot more. The Regents more than doubled the amount of three-pointers the Eagles made (13-6). The Regents finished the game shooting 38.2% (13-34) from three-point range and 54.5% (6-11) from the charity stripe. Defensively, the Regents forced 19 turnovers and converted those into 30 points. The Regents also held the Eagles to just 19 three-point attempts, and allowed only 6 of them to fall (31.6%).
- Judson got out to a 18-9 lead to start the game.
- The Regents climbed their way back into the game with a 15-4 run with support coming from 6 points by Jaden Bell and a three-pointer from Matthew Elliot to give the Regents the 24-22 lead.
- The Regents found their stride as they were able to walk into the half with a 37-32 lead after trailing for a majority of the first half.
- The Regents got out to a 42-36 lead to start the second half, Kevin Diemer then went on to score the next 8 points for the Regents to give his team a 50-32 lead, the largest lead of the game up to this point.
- The Eagles were however, able to keep themselves in the game, keeping the Regent lead to no more than 13 for a majority of the second half.
- The Regents found their way to a 75-60 lead after a Jaden Bell layup with just under 5 minutes to go in the game.
- The Regents were able to hold off a late comeback attempt from the Eagles and secure an 83-73 win in the season opener.
- 8 different Regents put up at least 3 points, 6 of them making a three-pointer as well.
- Kevin Diemer put up an impressive 24 points going 9-13 (69%) from the field, also snagging 6 rebounds, picking up 4 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.
- Jaden Bell had a great return, recording 19 points on a 7-11 (63.6%) outing with a team high 5 three-pointers, he also recorded a team high 8 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.
- Tyrese England delivered 11 points on 5-11(45.5%) shooting performance.
- Matthew Elliott also came up with 9 points off the bench and grabbed 6 rebounds for the Regents.
