ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team (2-3, 1-1 NACC) fell 99-95 in a close battle against Aurora University Spartans (2-1, 2-1 NACC). The Regents gave a valiant effort playing tough on both sides of the court. But, Rockford's 21 turnovers to Aurora's 14 ultimately hurt the Regents having to come from behind for a portion of the game. However, Rockford out-shot Aurora from field goal range with 53.3% and from the line with 70.3%. The Spartans made some key three-pointers that were a factor in the end result. Foul trouble plagued both teams from the start forcing each team to shoot an abundance of free-throws with Aurora shooting 33 free-throws and Rockford shooting 37 free-throws. The spotlight shined on Brandon Emerick tonight who achieved an enormous career mile stone scoring his 1,000 career points to enshrine him forever in Rockford University school history.

• Aurora jumped on the board first with a three-pointer but Kivontay Shaw answered with a jumper.
• The Spartans pulled ahead 9-6 until Nick Phillips tied it at 9-9 at the 15:35 mark in the first half with a big three-point basket.
• Nick Phillips three-pointer started a Regents 12-3 run putting Rockford ahead 18-12. Kevin Diemer and Vincent Eugene contributed to the run with layups, while Daelyn Franklin added a couple free-throws. De'Marius Bonds hammered down a three-point basket capping off the 12-3 point run.
• However, Aurora went on a 15-4 point run beginning at the 12:15 mark in the first half and ending at the 9:03 mark in the first half to regain the lead, 27-22.
• The Regents took back the lead 28-27 at the 8:17 mark in the first by scoring six unanswered points with De'Marius Bonds accounting for four of those points and Micah Swanson adding a layup for two points. 
• The Spartans would not go down quietly, putting together a 13-2 point run to lead by ten points over the Regents making it 40-30 with 5:30 left to play in the first half. 
• Aurora was able to increase its lead by 14 points leading 51-37 with 2:34 left to play in the first half. 
• Rockford continuing to play with intense effort closed out the first half with a 5-0 point run closing the gap 51-42 going into the half. 
• The Regents came out blazing in the second half going on a 13-5 point run and tremendously bringing them back within one point of the Spartans 56-55 at the 16:41 mark in the second half. Kivontay Shaw came through big for the Regents scoring five points during the run. Kevin Diemer and Nick Phillips added three-points. Brandon Emerick hustled for a fast-break layup, catapulting him into the history books with 1,000 career points. 
• As Aurora worked to create some space Daelyn Franklin knocked down a three-pointer to keep Rockford within two points of Aurora, 60-58 with 15:02 left to play in the game. 
• Keeping the game close, Rockford went on a 8-5 point run to trail Aurora 67-66 with 11:33 left to play. De'Marius Bonds, Kevin Diemer and Brandon Emerick all recorded two points. Daelyn Franklin and Vincent Eugene both added a free-throw. 
• De'Marius Bonds made free-throw with 5:03 left to play helped the Regents overtake the Spartans 82-81 capping off a 12-7 point run for the Regents where Ashton Singleton dominated with seven points. Kevin Diemer and Vincent Eugene got in on the action with a couple points a piece.
• Unfortunately, Aurora came back with seven straight unanswered points to attain the lead once again at 88-82 with 3:48 left to play.
• The Regents chipped away, but it was not enough to stop the Spartans from going on to win 99-95.

• Brandon Emerick with 6 points in the game surpassed 1,000 total career points accomplishing an extremely tough milestone and putting him in Rockford University's 1,000 point club.
• Kevin Diemer recorded 20 points, 3 rebounds and a block.
• De'Marius Bonds tallied 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, an assist and a steal.
• Vincent Eugene had 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.

 The RU men's basketball team returns to the Seaver Center against Concordia University Chicago on Friday, February 12. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.