ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team fell 83-82 in heartbreaking fashion to the Concordia University Chicago Cougars. The Regents and Cougars both had similar shooting numbers across the board, with Rockford making just two more shots from the field than CUC. Rockford also controlled the glass, with a 44-22 advantage in rebounds, including 29-17 defensively and 15-6 offensively. However, CUC dominated the turnover battle as they turned 21 RU turnovers into 28 points, while Rockford forced just 10 turnovers and only converted them into 5 points. The Cougars also attempted five more shots from the free throw line and made seven more than RU. With Rockford clinging onto a slight 82-80 lead with two seconds left, CUC's Jacob Collicott buried the go-ahead basket at the buzzer to hand Rockford the heartbreaking loss.
- Rockford rolled out the gates with a 13-3 run to open the game. The Regents shot 5-7 (71.4%) from the field, including 3-3 (100%) from deep and were led by Anthony Espensen with 8 points during the opening stretch.
- The Cougars chipped into the Rockford lead over the next five minutes with a 12-7 run to make it a 20-15 RU lead with 10 minutes and 25 seconds left in the half.
- The Regents were able to increase their lead back to double figures after a 12-6 run to put Rockford in front 32-21. Rockford shot 4-5 (80%) from the field, 1-2 (50%) from three-point range and 3-4 (75%) from the charity stripe during the run.
- However, CUC brought itself back into the game with a massive 18-6 run over the final 5 minutes of the first half that cut the Rockford lead to just one at 39-38 going into the break.
- Rockford came out hot again in the second half with a 20-11 run, capped off by a Jaden Bell jumper to give RU its double-digit lead back at 59-49.
- The Regents stayed in control of the lead, holding at least a two-possession lead and eventually getting out to their largest lead of the night at 76-63 with 6 minutes and 15 seconds left in regulation.
- Unfortunately, the Cougars were able to battle back yet again as they mustered up a 17-4 run over the next five and a half minutes to equalize the game at 80-80 with 33 seconds to go.
- Rockford took the late 82-80 lead with a Micah Swanson jumper with 2 seconds left in regulation, but on a last-ditch effort, CUC's Jacob Collicot knocked down the buzzer-beater to win the game for the Cougars by a final score of 83-82.
- 5 different Regents scored double-digit points.
- DeVon Oregon added a career-high 23 points on 5-8 (62.5%) shooting, including 3-5 (60%) from long-range and a perfect 10-10 from the line. Oregon also picked up 5 rebounds and an assist.
- Anthony Espensen provided 18 points on 8-12 (66.7%) shooting, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Micah Swanson picked up his 7th double-double of the season and his second in a row with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Swanson also recorded 4 assists and a steal.
- Jaden Bell tallied 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
- Noody Lacey had 10 points, 2 rebounds and an assist.
