ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team earned a thrilling 77-74 victory over the Aurora University Spartans on Saturday in an important conference game for each team. The Regents erased an 11-point deficit midway through the second half, thanks to a balanced offensive attack. Four of Rockford's five starters scored in double-figures, led by 31 points from
Kevin Diemer. The Regents then sealed the win at the free throw line by converting on a season-high 85.7% of their attempts, including going a perfect 10-for-10 over the final 3 minutes and 4 seconds. With this win, Rockford moves into 7th place in the NACC with the top 8 set to qualify for the NACC Tournament.
- Rockford got out to a quick 6-2 lead after three-pointers from Matthew Elliott and Kevin Diemer to get things going.
- The Spartans were able to tie the game up at 8-8, and the game remained close with the Regents only able to hold onto a one possession lead until Kevin Diemer would drain a three-pointer to give the Regents a 4-point, 23-19 lead with 6:58 left in the first half.
- Diemer went on to score the next 13 points for Rockford in a slight 13-10 run in a stretch where he was 5-7 (71.4%) from the field and 3-4 (75%) from beyond the arc to make it a 36-31 game with 1:03 left in the half.
- The Regents were able to take a 6-point, 38-32 lead into halftime after Matthew Elliott scored a layup to finish the half.
- Aurora went on a quick 7-2 run to start the second half in a stretch where they went perfect from the field (3-3).
- Rockford then went on a 7-1 run to make it a 47-40 game, led by 3 points from Jaden Bell.
- The Spartans were able to take control of the game with an impressive 19-2 run in which they were 80% from the field during this stretch to make it a 59-49 Spartan lead midway through the half.
- The Regents were able to battle back within 2 after a layup from Micah Swanson and then Kevin Diemer scored the next 5 points for Rockford to put his team out in front 65-64.
- The last five minutes of the game remained very close with neither team running away with the game, until multiple Regents were fouled within the last three minutes and Rockford was able to go 10-10 from the line and hold off the comeback effort by the Spartans and win the game 77-74.
- Kevin Diemer had a 31-point outing, going 6-11 (54.5%) from deep, this moves him past Rhett Coatney for 11th all-time in points in program history, he also came relatively close to a triple-double with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, also picking up 2 steals.
- Micah Swanson had 13 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
- Matthew Elliott had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal.
- Jaden Bell had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.
