ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford College women's basketball team came into todays game with a 3-8 Northern Athletics Conference record desperately needing a win to remain in contention for the final NAC playoff spot. The Regents welcomed the Maranatha Baptist Bible College Crusaders to the Seaver Center in a NAC showdown that would come down to the last shot.

The Crusaders got on the board first and opened up a quick 7-3 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the half. The Regents got back in the game with a layup by junior guard Erin Ryczek (South Beloit, Ill./Hononegah) which made the score 11-12. Maranatha's defense took over after that basket as the Regents went 8:34 without scoring a basket and took a 29-11 lead. Rockford went into the half down 31-16 despite outrebounding the Crusaders 25-19.

The Regents opened up the 2nd half with a 9-2 run to bring the score within 8 points with a 3-pointer by junior guard Arielle Nichols (Tampa, Fla./Land O' Lakes). With 4 minutes remaining, Rockford used a 6-0 run to bring the score within 1 at 46-45. The Regents had 3 opportunities to take the lead under 1 minute but committed two turnovers and missed the rim on a 1 and 1 bonus free throw. Rockford fouled to send Maranatha to the line for two shots with 5 seconds remaining. The Crusaders made the first free throw and missed the second giving the Regents one desperation heave. Junior guard Sherrell Woods (Rockford, Ill./East) dribbled the rebound to midcourt for one last shot at the win, but it came up short as the Crusaders hung on for a 47-45 victory. 

Ryczek led the Regents with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Senior forward Nicole Lawler (Pearl City, Ill./Pearl City) just missed a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Woods finished with 7 points while Nichols came off the bench to score 6.

The Regents will hit the road to take on Benedictine University on January 30, tipoff is set for 7:00 PM