Box Score
(Fond du Lac, WI) – Rockford College defeated Marian University in an exciting 85-82 contest at Sadoff Gymnasium on Wednesday evening. The Regents moved a game ahead of the Sabres in the Northern Athletics Conference with the victory and own the tie-breaker over Marian.
Rockford is now 12-10 overall and 7-7 in the NAC, while Marian is 9-13 overall and 6-8 in the NAC. Rockford and Lakeland are both 7-7 in the NAC and Marian plays at Lakeland on Saturday. The winner of that contest could go a long way in deciding the fourth playoff spot in the NAC North.
The Regents jumped out to an eleven-point lead early in the first half, but Marian was able to come back and take the lead in the half. A basket by the Regents with just :14 remaining gave them a 34-33 lead at the break.
The second half was close throughout as there were twelve ties and twelve lead changes. The Sabres led 75-72 with 2:08 to go, but then Rockford's Danny Armelin hit a pair of free throws. Marian missed a jumper on their next possession and Rockford's Robert Malone converted a jumper on a fast break to give the Regents a lead.
After a Regent free throw gave them a 77-75 lead, Marian's
Bryan Ashbeck (Wabeno, WI) hit a pair of free throws to tie it with 1:28 to play. Malone had the answer again as he converted a pair of free throws off an offensive rebound to give Rockford a two-point lead. He then hit a three on the Regents next possession to give them a five-point lead and from there the Sabres never threatened. Marian hit a last-second three-pointer to cut it to 85-82.
Marian had no answer for Malone as he finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds. He scored 28 points in the second half.
Rockford shot 27-for-52 (52%) from the field, while Marian shot 26-for-58 (45%). Rockford won the battle on the boards 37-28.
