Regents Win Overtime Thriller Against Red Devils
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Posted by: Regents Sports Information
ROCKFORD, Ill. – In front of packed house at the Seaver Center 40 minutes simply was not enough time to produce a winner between the Rockford College Regents and Eureka College Red Devils. The two teams played to a 41-41 tie at halftime and an 80-80 tie at the end of regulation. In overtime, the Regents went 6-8 from the floor including connecting on 3-5 three-point baskets. The hot shooting in overtime was enough to propel Rockford to 99-94 win over Eureka. The win was truly an outstanding team effort for the Regents. Rockford had 6 players score in double-figures and got 46 points from its bench. The depth for Rockford has been one of its best assets this year, as the Regents bench has outscored its opponents 81-25 through the first 2 games. The Regents also out-rebounded their opponent for the second straight game this season against a much bigger Red Devil team, an area where Rockford struggled a year ago.
Rockford needed to, and got, huge contributions from a variety of players. Senior Paul Hall (Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt) not only led the team as the point guard, but was also the team’s leading scorer with 17 points. Hall also dished out 3 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds as well. Junior Grant Olsen (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) had good offensive game both on the perimeter and in the paint. Olsen scored 16 points and pulled down 6 rebounds for the Regents. Sophomore Tory Minnifield (Blue Island, Ill./Eisenhower) had the team’s first double-double of the year scoring 13 points and getting 11 tough rebounds. Minnifield may have got the most important rebound of the afternoon off of a missed free throw midway through overtime. Rockford was leading by 1 when Minnifield got the rebound and then the Regents proceeded to knock down a clutch 3-pointer to put a little distance between themselves and the Red Devils. Guards Thomas Hawkins (Rockford, Ill./Guilford) and Darryl Watkins (Rockford, Ill./Auburn) each scored in double-digits coming off the bench. Hawkins scored 11 points and Watkins added 10 points and 5 assists for the Regents. Sam Chones (Milwaukee, Wis./Riverside) scored 13 and got 6 rebounds off the bench. Chones hit a pair of clutch free throws with 11 seconds left in overtime making it a two score game and sealing the 99-94 victory.
The Regents will be back in action on Friday when they travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to take on UW-Eau Claire. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Kolf Sports Center on the campus of UW-Oshkosh.
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