MADISON- The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad hosted Jam the Gym Saturday at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. They faced off with the Rockford Regents in an important late season Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) bout. A furious late rally fell just short for the Eagles (8-14, 7-8 NACC) as they lost 79-74 to the Regents (14-7, 8-6 NACC).

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The tilt proved to be back and forth in the first half, neither team gaining much distance from the other. Edgewood College started with a 9-3 lead that seven straight points from Rockford erased, the visitors leading 10-9 after five minutes.
 
- Neither team would gain much of an advantage in the frame, until the Regents nabbed a five-point edge 32-27 at 3:56 in the half. The Eagles replied with a 7-2 rally and went into the locker room down 36-34.
 
- The first eight minutes of the second half was all Rockford. The visitors kicked things off on a 16-5 sprint as they attacked the paint, leading 52-39 at 12:03. They would lead by as much as 18 and their double-digit advantage would persist until the final 1:12 of play.
 
- Edgewood College roared to life with one last ditch effort to turn the tide. Three three-pointers in the final 1:12 of play, coupled with clutch shooting in the paint and swiping the ball from the Regents, helped the Eagles put together a 14-5 rally to close within a possession. Down three with :15 remaining, Edgewood College's last effort beyond the arc bounced off the rim to let Rockford survive.
 
- Cade Ellingson did a bit of everything on the afternoon. He finished with 15 points, four steals, four assists, and five rebounds.
 
- Drew Houtakker tallied a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Trey Traeder recorded 14 points. Both passed for four assists.
 
- Dawson Hughes earned eight points and five assists.
 
- Kevin Diemer had an impressive day for the Regents with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Matthew Elliott was also effective with 18 points.
 
- Rockford out-rebounded the Eagles 40-to-30 and put together a 22-to-6 advantage in points in the paint in the second half.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Ellingson's four steals were his career best.
 
- Edgewood College's .474 three-point shooting was their second-best on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles kick off the first of three important meetings with the top of the NACC to finish the season. They will match up against the Benedictine Eagles Wednesday. First tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.