Regents Cage Panthers

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford College men’s basketball team got off to a phenomenal start to the 2009-10 basketball season with Monday’s season opening 98-75 victory over the visiting Greenville College Panthers.  Rockford had many questions coming into their first game of the year, but answered many of them in the win.

The Panthers took an early lead as the Regents seemed to have some early jitters, but with 11:30 remaining in the opening half, Rockford took a lead they would not relinquish.  Five minutes later, the game changed.  Over the next four and a half minutes, Rockford went on a 21-0 run, during which four players scored and Rockford converted seven Greenville Panther turnovers in to 13 points.  By the halftime intermission, the Regents had established a 50-32 advantage.  Three Regents tallied double digit first half points led by junior Robert Malone’s (Stephens, Ark/ Stephens) 14 points and seniors Danny Armelin (Gonzales, Texas/ Gonzales) and Andrew Weber (Roscoe, Ill./ Boylan) who added 10 each.

Rockford continued their dominance during the game’s second stanza, increasing their lead to a game-high 30 points in the half, while never allowing the Panthers to come within 18 points. 

Malone led a balanced Regents attack, finishing the game with 22 points and eight assists.  Armelin added 20 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.  Weber finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  Senior Garrett Staniec (Glenview, Ill./ Glenbrook South) added 15 points for Rockford. 

Rockford will return to the Seaver Center court on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. when they host Eureka College.