ROCKFORD, Ill. The Rockford University men's basketball team fell 89-79 Saturday afternoon to the MSOE Raiders. MSOE was in control for a majority of the game, leading for 32 minutes and 18 seconds, while Rockford led for just 2 minutes and 7 seconds. Rockford actually made three more shots than MSOE from the floor and four more three-pointers, but the biggest difference in the game came from the free-throw line. The Raiders shot 27-32 (84.4%) from the line on the day, while the Regents only attempted 10 free throws all game and made 7. MSOE also shot the ball well, as they were 28-51 (54.9%) on the day and Rockford shot 31-68 (45.6%). MSOE has now won the last three meetings between the two schools.
- Both MSOE and Rockford traded points to open the first half, with the score finding its way to 9-9 through the first four and a half minutes of play.
- The Raiders and Regents continued to battle as neither team was able to take more than a one-possession lead until the Raiders took a 19-15 lead with 8 minutes and 17 seconds left in the first half.
- Rockford put together a slight 10-7 spurt to make it a 27-26 Raider lead, capped off by a Jaden Bell triple to make it a one-point game. Jaden Bell also led the way with 5 points during the slight run.
- However, MSOE responded with a 16-4 run to take a 43-30 lead with 45 seconds left in the first half.
- The Regents were able to get two quick buckets before the first half ended as Anthony Espensen connected on a jumper and DeVon Oregon beat the buzzer at the half to cut the MSOE lead to 43-34 going into the break.
- Rockford was quickly able to cut the Raider lead to five to open the second half as DeVon Oregon buried two triples and Micah Swanson made a layup to make it a 47-42 game.
- MSOE then went on a 9-0 run to take a 56-42 lead, but Rockford responded right back with a 9-0 run of its own, capped off by a Noody Lacey layup to make it a 56-51 Raider lead with 12 minutes and 57 seconds left in regulation.
- However, the Raiders were able to maintain control of the lead and eventually take a double-digit, 74-64 lead with 4 minutes and 23 seconds left.
- Rockford battled until the end, as Anthony Espensen shot 4-5 (80%) from deep and delivered 12 points over the final 2 minutes of play. However, the Raiders were able to make their free throws down the stretch and close out the 89-79 victory over the Regents.
- Anthony Espensen provided an RU career-high 27 points, on 10-18 (55.5%) shooting, including 5-9 (55.5%) from long-range. Espensen also picked up 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.
- Micah Swanson put up 18 points on 7-10 (70%) shooting and picked up his second-straight double-double with 11 rebounds. He also added 2 assists and a steal.
- DeVon Oregon delivered a career-high 16 points on 6-9 (66.7%) shooting, with a game-high 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
