ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's basketball team took a thrilling 95-90 win over the visiting MSOE Raiders in a Saturday afternoon NACC game. The Regents get back to the .500 mark in NACC play at a record of 1-1 and improve to 5-2 overall. The Regents were on fire from three-point range in this game, going 12-23 (52.2%) on the day to the Raiders 7-18 (38.8%) performance. The Raiders did hold the advantage in field goal percentage leading 55% - 48.5% over Rockford, but the Regents were able to edge out one of the best free throw shooting teams in the NACC 81% - 73.9%. Defensively, the Regents were able to force 18 turnovers to just 10 for the Raiders and Rockford was able to convert those turnovers into 24 points.
Kevin Diemer also continues to climb the RU record books, moving into 13th place all-time in points scored. This game needed overtime to decide the victor and the Regents were able to walk out on top with a great 95-90 win.
- The Regents got out to a 15-8 lead 5 minutes into the first half, after a three-pointer from Jaden Bell.
- MSOE was able to go on a 12-5 run to tie the game back up at 20-20, going 5-7 (71.4%) from the field during this run.
- The Raiders and Regents battled back and forth to a 32-30 Regent lead after a free throw from Micah Swanson.
- Rockford and MSOE kept it a close game and Rockford was able to walk away with a slight 41-40 lead over the Raiders going into the half.
- MSOE got out to a quick four-point advantage, to take a 48-44 lead over Rockford to start the second half.
- The Regents took that lead right back with 5 points coming from Kevin Diemer to give Rockford the 50-49 lead.
- MSOE went on a 9-2 run after a three-pointer to give themselves a 7 point, 58-51 lead with 14 minutes to play.
- Rockford went on its own run of 10-1 and was capped off by an Anfernee James layup to make it a 61-58 Rockford lead.
- The game remained a back and forth battle between both teams and the Raiders found themselves up 77-75 with less than a minute to play.
- Kevin Diemer was able to come up huge for the Regents and bury a clutch jumper with 1 second on the clock and force overtime.
- MSOE took a quick 4 point lead over Rockford and they were forced to play catchup to begin overtime.
- The Regents were able to cut it within one after a layup from Kevin Diemer and Jaden Bell was able to take the lead for the Regents with a clutch three-pointer.
- Rockford would get fouled numerous times and Jaden Bell came in clutch to ice the game for the Regents and were able to walk away with the 95-90 win.
- Jaden Bell had 22 points, a rebound and 1 steal.
- Kevin Diemer had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
- Noody Lacey had 20 points, just shy of a double-double with 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.
- Micah Swanson had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and an astounding 4 blocks.
