FOND DU LAC, Wis. - The Rockford University men's basketball team moved into sole possession of fourth place in the NACC standings with a 75-56 win at Marian University. The Regents never trailed in the game and led by double-digits for all but 11 seconds in the second half. Rockford shot a season-high 56% from the floor, including 45.8% from three-point range. The Rockford defense was also spectacular all night long, holding Marian to only 43.1% shooting, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 22 points and holding the Sabres to just 5 free throw attempts the entire game. The victory extends Rockford's winnings streak to a NACC high 5 games and moves the Regents to within one win of clinching a berth in the 2024 NACC Tournament.
- Rockford scored the first seven points of the game and never looked back. Jaden Bell started the night off with a pair of made free throws and Matthew Elliott knocked down a three-pointer to get jump start the RU offensive attack.Â
- After the Sabres got back to within a point at 16-15, Rockford went on a 12-1 run to seize control of the game. Matthew Elliott scored nine points over that stretch, including knocking down one of his five three-pointers. Â
- However, Marian was able to make it a 4-point game late in the half, but Rockford scored the final three points, including a DeVon Oregon layup to send the Regents into the break with a 31-24 advantage.Â
- Rockford picked up right where it left off to start the second half, scoring the first ten points and taking its largest lead thus far. The Regents were 4-of-5 from the floor, led by five points from Kevin Diemer.Â
- The Regents built their lead up to as many as 25 points following a Micah Swanson layup at the 8:13 mark.Â
- The Sabres never got any closer than 19 the rest of the way, and Rockford cruised to a 75-56 win.Â
- Matthew Elliott had his best performance of the season on Wednesday night against the Sabres. Elliott finished with a game and season-high 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5 made three-pointers. He also had a 6 rebounds, 1 block and a steal.
- Jaden Bell finished with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He rounded out his night with a game-high 7 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.
- Kevin Diemer added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. He is now just 12 points away from 1,500 for his collegiate career.Â
- Micah Swanson had 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Swanson is only 39 points away from 1,000 career points.Â
- Mateo Fernandez Solari tallied 5 points, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds and a block.