ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University women's basketball team fell just short 63-59 to the Benedictine University Eagles Wednesday night. The Eagles held the lead for a large majority of the game, leading for 34 minutes and 32 seconds, while Rockford held the lead for just 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Despite this, both teams had very similar numbers across the board. However, the biggest difference in the game came from points off turnovers. The Eagles forced 14 Rockford turnovers and turned those into 20 points and Rockford forced 15 Benedictine turnovers but only turned them into 10 points. Benedictine was also able to make enough free throws down the stretch to ice the game and secure themselves the win.
- The Eagles opened the contest with a slight 4-0 lead, but Rockford quickly responded thanks to back-to-back layups from D'Asia Washington and Alyssa Havard to equalize the game.
- Benedictine and Rockford traded buckets for most of the quarter as there were 3 ties and 6 lead changes in this quarter alone.
- This led to a slight 14-13 Benedictine lead by the end of the first quarter.
- The Eagles increased their lead to seven with a 10-4 run over the first five minutes of the second quarter to make it a 24-17 game.
- Rockford battled back with five straight points from Lexi Keating to make it a 25-22 score with 3 minutes and 14 seconds left in the half.
- Rockford and Benedictine traded points for the rest of the quarter, but the Eagles were able to stay in control of the lead, holding a slight 28-26 advantage going into the break.
- The Regents took a 29-28 lead thanks to a triple from Alyssa Havard to open the second half.
- Benedictine then put together a 15-6 run to give the Eagles a double-digit, 44-34 lead, their largest of the night.
- Rockford was able to cut the lead back down to five by quarter's end with a 7-2 run to close the quarter to make it a 46-41 game heading into the fourth.
- The Regents continued to chip away at the Eagle lead, eventually tying the game at 49-49 after back-to-back jumpers from Nia Wilkerson and Alyssa Havard.
- However, Benedictine was able to regain control and take a 57-51 lead with 4 minutes and 32 seconds left in Regulation.
- Rockford was able to cut the deficit to just 2 points with 23 seconds left at 59-57, but the Eagles were able to knock down the free throws they needed down the stretch to secure the slight 63-59 victory.
- D'Asia Washington picked up her 8th double-double of the season with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. She now has 4 double-doubles in her last 5 games.
- Katie Paredes provided 10 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist.
- Lexi Keating had 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.
- Alyssa Havard added 12 points and 3 rebounds.
