ROCKFORD, Ill. – The only thing missing from Tyler Lemke's historic night was a victory. Lemke poured in a career-high 40 points, but the Edgewood College men's basketball team fell short falling to Rockford University 99-86. Lemke's explosion was the fifth highest single game scoring total in program history.

Edgewood College (4-17, 4-12 NACC) opened the game on fire. The Eagles made 11 of their first 15 shots to open up a 29-19 lead in just eight and a half minutes. Lemke, Adam Freitag, McClain Steffens and Sy Staver all hit three-pointers in the opening flurry. Lemke began to take over, scoring the Eagles next 10 points, including two three-point plays, to take a 39-26 lead.

However, Rockford University (8-14, 7-10 NACC) would hold the Eagles scoreless over the next 4:44 while going on a 18-0 run. Staver broke the stretch with two free throws, but the Eagles would play from behind the rest of the night. Lemke finished the first half with 22 points and the Eagles trailed 48-46.

Lemke scored Edgewood College's first three field goals to open the second half and it seemed like the Eagles could take the lead back. Jim Bridges scored in the post and Kyle Geiger converted two free throws to cut Rockford's lead to 57-56. But Rockford would use an 11-2 run to take a 68-58 lead and put distance between them and the Eagles. Lemke would score his 40th point on a layup inside with 35 seconds remaining in the game.

Lemke went 14-for-22 from the field and 10-for-16 at the free-throw line. His monster game was the first 40-point game by an Eagle since Charlie Averkamp scored 41 points against Maranatha Baptist on December 7, 2004. His 14 field goals made ranks third in school history. Steffens also had a career-high with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds. Staver and Freitag had 10 points each, with Staver adding five assists. Edgewood College shot 45.5 percent for the game.

Rockford University had six players in double figures, led by Zach Wallace with 22 points. Tony Diemer had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Regents shot 53.4 percent.

Edgewood College will attempt to snap their six-game losing streak on Wednesday at home against Marian University. The Eagles and Sabres tipoff at 7:00 p.m.