MADISON, Wis. – The Edgewood College Men's Basketball team used a 46-26 edge in points in the paint to take down Rockford University, 77-72, on Saturday afternoon inside the Todd Wehr Edgedome. The Eagles also held a 35-19 advantage in bench points with Jake Schroeckenthaler leading the way with 18 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams struggled to get going early as the score was tied 5-5 six minutes into play. That is when junior Eli Hartjes provided a spark for the Eagles (3-2) by going on a 7-0 run of his own to push Edgewood College in front 12-5. Hartjes also had a block on the defensive end during that stretch as the Eagles held Rockford scoreless for over six minutes (17:50 to 10:25).



- Hartjes scored 10 points in the first half to pace the Eagles, who led 36-25 at the break. He was 4-for-4 in the opening half. Schroeckenthaler added eight points on 4-of-6 shooting.

- Edgewood College led the entire second half but Rockford made sure to make the Eagles sweat a little down the stretch. With 2:59 to go Rockford converted a 4-point play to make the score 68-65. The lead was cut to 68-66 with 2:33 to go, but Jake Graf had a big bucket for the Eagles on the ensuing possession after a key offensive rebound. Jake Negus then drove to the hoop for a layup, pushing the lead back to 6.

- Rockford, which shot incredibly well from distance, again answered with another 3-point make with 59 seconds left to again cut the lead to three. Schroeckenthaler scored on the ensuing trip off a nice drive and dish from Graf, but Rockford again dialed one in from long distance with 25 second remaining, cutting the Eagles lead to two.

- Negus would make 1-of-2 from the line on the Eagles next trip and they would get a stop on the defensive end before Graf put the game away with a pair of free throws with eight seconds left.

- The Regents had no answer for the Eagles post as Schroeckenthaler finished the game with 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Hartjes, Ryan Buss, and Negus all added 14 points, while Graf chipped in 12.

- Both teams shot well from 3-point range on Saturday. It was the 3-point shot that kept Rockford in the game as they made 14-of-29 (48.3 percent) from deep. The Eagles connected on 46.2 percent (6-for-13) of their 3-point attempts, while finishing the game shooting an impressive 57.4 percent (31-for-54) from the floor.

THE OPPOSITION
- De'marius Bonds led Rockford with 15 points, while Brandon Emerick added 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

UP NEXT
- Edgewood College will begin NACC play next weekend with two games at Marian. The first of those games will be Friday evening at 5 p.m.