ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team fell 72-67 in a tough loss to the Grinnell College Pioneers on Saturday evening. Rockford was in control in the first half, never trailing and eventually grabbing a 13-point 42-29 lead at the half. The Regents shot a solid 43.5% from the field in the first half, including a 10-for-20 (50%) second quarter, while holding Grinnell to just 38% in the half. However, the second half belonged to the Pioneers as they were able to slowly dwindle the Rockford lead and eventually take the lead after a tough third quarter for the Regents. Rockford struggled to get things going in the fourth quarter and Grinnell found its stride, holding off the Regents and eventually closing out the game 72-67.
- The Regents rolled out to an 11-2 lead to open the game, with Nia Wilkerson leading the way with 5 points during the opening stretch. Rockford shot 4-10 (40%), including 2-3 (66.7%) from three-point range during the run.
- The Pioneers were able to slowly creep back into the game, but Rockford held the lead eventually taking an 18-14 lead into the second quarter.
- Rockford opened the second quarter with a 10-3 run in which the Regents shot 5-8 (62.5%) and D'Asia Washington led all scorers with 4 points during the run.
- Grinnell was able to find its way back into the game, eventually cutting the Rockford lead to just four at 28-24 with 3:30 left to pay in the half.
- However, Rockford responded with a big 14-5 run to end the half, capped off by an Alyssa Havard triple with time winding to give the Regents a 42-29 lead at halftime.
- The Pioneers came out of the break hot, putting up a 12-3 run to put themselves right back into the game, trailing the Regents by just four at 45-41 midway through the quarter.
- Grinnell kept its second-half success going, eventually overtaking Rockford and holding a 51-50 lead by the end of the quarter.
- The Regents were able to grab the lead back to open the fourth quarter on a jumper from Allie Wintemute to make it 52-51.
- After that, the Pioneers took control and were able to go on a 14-4 run to take a 65-56 lead with just under four minutes to go in regulation.
- Rockford tried to battle back but was never able to cut the lead to less than four and fell by a final score of 72-67.
- Alyssa Havard put up a game and career-high 19 points on a masterful 7-10 (70%) performance from the field, including 5-6 (83.3%) from beyond the arc. She also picked up 4 rebounds.
- Lexi Keating had a career-high 15 points on 6-12 (50%) shooting also picking up 6 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.
- D'Asia Washington had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
- Katie Paredes had 9 points, a team-high 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a game-high 4 steals.
