Nov. 20, 2013 - Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play got off to an early start this season with tonight's game between Rockford University and Concordia University Chicago at Geiseman Gymnasium as one of the matchups. The two long-time rivals put on a fast-paced entertaining game of basketball for the fans, but it was the Regents' fans that went home happy after Rockford held off Concordia by a final score of 87-79.
Rockford's David Dixon got a quick start on a 34-point night by draining a three on the game's opening possession. The Cougars fell behind 7-2 after three minutes but fought back as Nat Pearson (Palatine, IL/H.S.) scored on a layup and then a three to tie the score. Later, Pearson hit a baseline jumper both teams in rebounds with 11. to give the Cougars their first lead at 11-9. The two teams fought close to the vest over the next several minutes before a three by Kostas Doxakis (Thessaloniki, Greece) and a jumper in the lane by Mike Walmer (Orlando, FL/Orlando Christian) gave Concordia its biggest lead at 21-17.
Before the half was over, nine more lead changes would take place. Scott Suchy's fourth three of the half gave Rockford a 35-34 lead 2:05 before halftime. Ronald Farmer-Blanchard added a three-point play, but Pearson answered on a fast break just before the horn to put Concordia within 38-36 after 20 minutes.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Rockford raced out to a six-point lead, but Pearson and Marcus Elston (Chicago, IL/Benito Juarez) brought the Cougars to within 44-42. The Regents then reeled off the next 10 points for the key sequence of the game. Dixon's jumper and three-pointer started the run, and Marlon Sykes followed with a steal and three-point play. Tory Minnifield then capped the run with a layup on the runout.
Elston's two free throws ended CUC's draught, and the Cougars were able to stay within single digits over the next several minutes. With five minutes remaining, Elston's layup made it a four-point game at 70-66. But Farmer-Blanchard converted a three-point play, and Dixon scored Rockford's next five points to put the visitors up 78-69. The Cougars were unable to get any closer than the final eight-point margin.
Dixon's 34 points came on the strength of 13-18 shooting from the field, and he also collected a game-high 11 rebounds. Suchy added 16 points (4-8 three-point shooting) . Farmer-Blanchard finished with 12 points, and Sykes added 11 points and six assists for the Regents (2-0, 1-0 NACC).
For Concordia (0-2, 0-1 NACC), Pearson led with 22 points, six rebounds and three steals. Walmer scored 20 points to go with eight rebounds, and Doxakis added 10 points and seven boards.
The Cougars will travel to Mankato, Minnesota on Saturday to tangle with Bethany Lutheran University.
