JACKSONVILLE, Ill.- The Rockford University men's basketball team returned to the court Friday night for the opening game in the Bill Merris Tournament. The Regents faced the host team the Illinois College Blueboys. Rockford held strong in the first half of the game, but the Blueboys took command in the second half to pull away with the 90-68 win. As a team the Regents struggled shooting and finished shooting 29% from the floor and 19% from the three-point line. They did, however, shoot 81% from the free throw line on 26-of-32 shooting.
Six minutes into the first half a free throw made by Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.) cut the Blueboys lead down to one at 7-6. Illinois College then went on a 10-0 before it was stopped by a jumper by John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.). The Blueboys went on another run and after a made three-point shot they went ahead 27-10 with 9 minutes left in the first half. Throughout the rest of the first half Rockford was able to slowly eat away at Illinois College lead. A layup by O'Bryan with one second left in the first half brought Rockford within eight points at 40-32.
The second half of the game did not go as well for the Regents. Illinois College hit a three-pointer seven seconds into the second half and Rockford could not cut the Blueboys lead below nine points the rest of the half.
Rockford had contributions throughout its lineup, but the player that stood out the most was Kenny Parks (Mascoutah, Ill.). The junior finished with a game high 18 points on 4-of-12 shooting. He made all ten of his free throw shots and finished with ten rebounds for his first colligate career double-double. Also finishing with double-digit points was Wallace, who scored 15 points. Wallace was very efficient, making all five of his shots from the field and five of his six free throw shots.
The Regents received solid contributions from their bench. Carlos Serrano (Chicago, Ill.) and Brandon Tyson (Joliet, Ill.) each scored eight points off the bench. Tyson finished with five rebounds while Serrano finished with two. Also contributing off of the bench was Jerry Pratt (Minnesota, Minn.) who finished the game with seven points.
The Bill Merris Tournament continues tomorrow for the Regents with a 2:00 p.m. start against Buena Vista.
