The Rockford University men's basketball team (11-6, 5-5 NACC) completed the season sweep, winning both the Regents conference games against St. Norbert (12-7, 8-4 NACC), in a thrilling overtime game 87-85. An overtime period forced by the Green Knights challenged both sides, but a late four-point Rockford lead was enough to hold off the first-place team in the NACC for a second time this season. It took a total team effort to topple the Green Knights as all five of the Regents starters scored double-digit points and shot a combined 56.5 percent from the field to lead Rockford to victory. Jaden Bell scored a season-high 16 points and shot 80 percent (4-for-5) from the three-point line to lead the Regents in both categories.
Regent Recap
- Brandon Emerick started off the game knocking down a three-pointer that broke the NACC record for three-point attempts in a career. The Regents went up 3-0.
- It was a battle back and forth until St. Norbert went on a 9-0 run to take an 18-10 lead.
- The Green Knights built up their biggest lead of the night after a 19-12 run put them up by 14 points, 36-22.
- Rockford cut the deficit to six points however, responding with a 10-2 run that put the score at 38-32. Charles Burnell and Nick Phillips had back-to-back three-pointers to get the run started for the Regents.
- SNC built up a nine-point lead to end the first half up 49-40. Nick Phillips and Zac Centers each hit a three-point shot to keep the game close before the break, and Brandon Emerick put in a nice layup.
- RU opened the second half strong, going on a 10-0 run on 80 percent shooting to take back the lead 50-49. TJ Lacey led the scoring during the run with five points, Jaden Bell had a three-pointer, and Micah Swanson knocked down a layup.
- The Regents were consistently chasing the Green Knights for the next five minutes of play. The momentum then shifted after Jaden Bell and Charles Burnell hit back-to-back three-pointers to turn SNC's five-point lead into a one-point advantage for Rockford.
- RU never gave back the lead from that point on, and it came down to the final possession for St. Norbert. A costly turnover gave the Green Knights one more chance to score and, on the jump shot attempt, SNC was able to grab the offensive rebound and call timeout with 0.8 seconds left on the clock.
- St. Norbert inbounded a pass over the heads of the Rockford defenders that was met by Evan Glaser of the Green Knights. He put up a last-second shot that dropped in and silenced the Seaver Center, forcing overtime, with the score at 75-75.
- SNC and RU traded baskets to begin the overtime period, St. Norbert took the lead 79-77 after the Green Knights second possession.
- Rockford came down the court and got the ball to Jaden Bell, who faced down a defender and knocked down a corner three-pointer to give the Regents the lead back 80-79.
- St. Norbert hit a layup to take the lead back but, Brandon Emerick pulled up from deep three-point range and hit his mark to put Rockford back up 83-81.
- The Green Knights tied it again shortly after, but Charles Burnell came back down the court and found a lane to score another layup to put the Regents up by two.
- SNC came back down the floor after a full timeout, only to have the possession ruined by TJ Lacey, who stole the ball, passed it to Brandon Emerick, who then passed Micah Swanson heading towards the basket. Swanson took the pass and converted a heavily-contested layup to give the Regents a much-needed four-point lead.
- After another timeout, St. Norbert was able to get the ball underneath and force a shooting foul where the Green Knights knocked down both free throws. The game wasn't over yet, the score stood at 84-82.
- SNC fouled to stop the clock, but after a missed free throw attempt, the Green Knights came down the court with five seconds left, only needing a three-pointer to win the game. They got it to a waiting player who put up the shot with a hand from Brandon Emerick in his face, only for it to bounce off the rim into Micah Swanson's hands to run out the rest of the clock, securing a huge Regent victory.
- Jaden Bell led the team in scoring with 16 points. He also had 8 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block.
- TJ Lacey recorded a double-double with 15 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. He also had a season-high in steals with 5, and 4 assists.
- Micah Swanson secured himself a double-double as well with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
- Charles Burnell led the team in assists with 8. He also scored 15 points and secured 3 rebounds.
- Brandon Emerick was able to score 10 points, dish out 4 assists and grab 4 rebounds to help the team. He also broke the NACC record for 3-point attempts in a career, now holding the record with 696 attempts.
The RU men's basketball team will play again at home this Wednesday against Benedictine. Tip-off at the Seaver Center is scheduled for 7pm.
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