LISLE, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team concluded its two-game road stint on Tuesday night with a trip to Lisle to take on the third-ranked Benedictine University Eagles. Despite what the final score might indicate, the Regents played well and were within striking distance for much of the evening. Rockford tuned the ball over just nine times, shot over 42% from floor and 80% from the free throw line; however, the Eagles were just too much down the stretch as they kept their undefeated season alive with a 95-72 win.
The first half was competitive throughout as Rockford led for the majority of the opening 20 minutes. The Regents came out clicking on all cylinders both offensively and defensively as they scored the first five points of the game and held the Eagles without a field goal for nearly four minutes. Junior Zach Wallace (Rockford, Ill.) hit his first shot attempt of the game and senior John O'Bryan (Richmond, Ky.) drained his first three-point attempt of the evening to give the Regents a quick 5-0 lead. Wallace would continue his dominance around the basket as scored 6 of the Regents' first 10 points to help give Rockford a 10-7 advantage with nearly 7 minutes elapsed. Rockford's lead hovered around 4 points until the 8-minute mark when Benedictine took their first lead of the game at 23-22. The Eagles then extended their lead to as many as 9 points before Rockford was able to trim it down in the closing minutes of the half. The Regents twice got back within 3 points thanks to baskets by Tony Diemer (Rockford, Ill.) and Kenny Parks (Mascoutah, Ill.). However, Benedictine was able to knock down a jumper as time expired to take a 43-38 lead into halftime.
Unfortunately the second half did not go as well for Rockford as the Eagles began to show why they are ranked third in the nation. After Ross Arteaga (Mendota, Ill.) converted on a three-point play in the opening moments of the half to pull the Regents back within three points, Benedictine began to impose its will. The Eagles responded with a 17-4 run to push their lead into double-digits for the first time and took a 61-45 advantage with 12:40 remaining. Rockford was never able to cut the Benedictine lead back down to single-digits and ultimately fell 95-72 on the road.
Zach Wallace carried the Rockford offense for the second straight game scoring over one-third of the team's total points. Wallace tallied his third straight double-double while scoring a game-high 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting. He also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds with 1 assist and 1 steal.
Ross Arteaga had one of his best games of the season playing in all 40 minutes for the third time this year. Arteaga tallied 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting while adding 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist.
Tony Diemer and John O'Bryan were the other two Regents to hit the double-digit scoring mark. Diemer scored 13 points with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and blocked 1 shot. O'Bryan added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
The RU men's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday, January 30 at home against MSOE. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. in the Seaver Center.
