RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team erased a 17-point deficit on Saturday afternoon to secure an incredible 69-66 comeback win at Concordia University Chicago. The victory clinches a spot in the NACC Tournament for Rockford for the fourth straight season and for the fifth time in the last six years. The Regents are currently in sole possession of fourth place and are only a game out of third place with two games remaining. A win at home on Wednesday night over Concordia University Wisconsin would secure a home game in the first round of the NACC Tournament for Rockford. If that wasn't enough excitement for one day, Rockford University senior
Kevin Diemer scored his 1,500th career point on a made free throw with 9:19 remaining in the second half. Diemer becomes just the tenth player in program history with 1,500 career points and only the sixth with 1,500 points and 800 rebounds.
- Rockford quickly fell behind 11-4 less than four minutes into the game.
- The Regents methodically chipped away at the deficit until Mateo Fernandez Solari drained a three-pointer to give his team its first lead of the day at 19-18.
- Unfortunately, CUC promptly went on a 24-6 run over the next 7 minutes and 21 seconds, to take a 42-25 lead with 4:09 remaining in the first half.
- Rockford was able to get back to within 12 points, but the Cougars hit a three in the closing seconds and took a 47-32 advantage into the break.
- The Cougars again led by as many as 17 points in the second half before Rockford began to make its move.
- The Regents went on an 18-4 run to make it a one-point game with 5:17 left in regulation. Six different Regents scored over that span, led by six points from Micah Swanson. Kevin Diemer also scored his 1,500th career point during that time frame.
- However, the Cougars answered right back and led 66-60 with only 2:05 remaining.
- Kevin Diemer connected on a pair of free throws shortly afterwards to make it a 66-62 game.
- Following a defensive stand, Rockford got a pair of offensive rebounds on its next possession, with Noody Lacey putting the final one back up and into the basket to pull his team to within two.
- After yet another hold on the defensive end of the court, Jaden Bell drained a three-pointer to put Rockford up 67-66 with 16 seconds remaining.
- Rockford then held the Cougars without a bucket for the third straight possession. Noody Lacey grabbed the defensive rebound and proceeded to knock down a pair of critical free throws in the closing seconds, to seal the 69-66 comeback win.
- Kevin Diemer finished with a game-high 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. He is now tied for ninth in program history with 1,505 points and is sixth with 814 rebounds.
- Matthew Elliott tallied his second double-double in the last five games. Elliott had 12 points, tied his season-high with 11 rebounds and added 2 assists and a block.
- Micah Swanson had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.
- Jaden Bell finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.
