ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad continued their 2022-23 regular season with another road matchup Tuesday evening. They played Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) foes Rockford. The Eagles (1-6, 1-2 NACC) carried momentum into the locker room, but the Regents (4-4, 1-2) swung it back in their favor to put away their 69-65 victory in the final minutes of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first five minutes were all Rockford as they built up to a 11-4 lead at the 15:51 mark. The Regents would manage to hold onto their advantage and sat up 17-10 at 11:19 left.
- Steals and threes would help get Edgewood College back into the game with an 8-0 rally to put themselves up 18-17 at 8:37. A quick 5-0 strike would put Rockford back up four, but the Eagles would reply with six unanswered to lead 24-22 at 5:16. Edgewood College would claw out more of a lead in the remaining minutes, heading into the locker room up 37-32.
- The Eagles had eight second chance points to the Regent's none. Neither team eclipsed 45 percent shooting from the field in the frame, Rockford shooting 44.44 (12-of-27) percent while Edgewood College made 37.50 (15-of-40) of their shots.
- The Eagles clung to their advantage until Rockford took back the lead with a fastbreak layup at 15:06 for a 44-43 advantage. The two teams would battle back to a 47-47 tie at 13:34, but a pair of layups would give the Regents a 51-47 edge at 12:19 before the Eagles replied in kind to knot it up at 51 all with 9:33 left.
- The two squads would continue their fierce back and forth battle, both teams trading five unanswered in the next four minutes to play to sit at 56 apiece. An 8-3 Rockford rally would give them a crucial 64-59 lead at 2:33 remaining. A pair of turnovers would put a serious dent in Edgewood College's chances, but a
Cade Ellingson three to put them within two at :29 would give them one last chance. A
Caden Nelson free throw after two more Regent points would lead to a
Drew Houtakker offensive rebound, but a missed three would dash the Eagles' hopes.
- Edgewood College had 12 points off turnovers to Rockford's zero, but the Regents dominated the second half with 14 points off turnovers to the Eagles four. Fast break points proved to be decisive, with Rockford winning the battle 13-3.
- Four from Edgewood College finished in double-digit points.
Trey Traeder led the squad with 14, while Nelson and
Adam Baierl each had 12. Houtakker had 10 points and 13 rebounds for his first career double-double.
- Micah Swanson led all scorers with 15 points while tacking on six blocks and six rebounds for the victorious Regents.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Houtakker's 13 rebounds was his Eagles career high.
- The loss snapped a five-game winning streak against Rockford. Edgewood College holds a 22-13 advantage in the series dating back to 1977-78.
UP NEXT
The Eagles take a break from NACC action as they continue their December road trip Sunday. They play University of Chicago in Chicago, Ill. with first tip scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Edgewood College has won three straight over the Maroons and holds a 3-2 series lead since 1987-88.
