Rockford, Ill. - Despite having three players scoring in double figures, the Illinois Tech men's basketball team could not overcome a late first half surge by host Rockford in their game  Saturday afternoon, falling to the Regents 94-84. The Scarlet Hawks dropped to 3-11 overall and 2-5 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play. The Regents improved to 10-4 and 4-3 in conference play.

Points in the paint tipped the scales in favor of Rockford, as the Regents held a 48-30 advantage for the game.

First Half (Rockford  50 - Illinois Tech 39)
An Owen Walsh second chance basket at the 12:02 mark of the first half capped off a 12-6 run for the Scarlet Hawks, giving them a 17-14 lead. But a 31-14 counter-run by the Regents gave Rockford a 45-31 lead with 3:23 remaining in the half. The Scarlet Hawks would close out the first half with an 8-5 run, cutting their deficit to 11 points entering halftime. Garrison Carter and Desmond Price each had 7 points in the opening half.

Second Half (Illinois Tech 45 - Rockford 44)
Rockford overwhelmed the Scarlet Hawks to start the second half. The Regents opened with a 19-5 run, capped off by a DeVon Oregon layup at the 13:46 mark. The 25-point lead represented the largest lead of the game for Rockford. Illinois Tech would battle back, however. A DeAndre Vortes steal and layup at the 6:28 mark completed a 13-0 response by the Scarlet Hawks, trimming their deficit to single digits,trailing 78-69. Rockford was able to extend their lead to 15 points before an 11-4 run by the Scarlet Hawks pulled them within 8 points with 1:40 remaining. Rockford staved off the Hawks' comeback, however, converting on 4 free throws down the stretch to close out the game.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Garrison Carter led with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals, while adding 2 assists and 2 blocks.
• Dario Biaggi had 17 points, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range.
• Desmond Price with 14 points and 2 assists.

Regents Watch

• Kevin Diemer led all scorers with 22 points, and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Mateo Fernandez Solari added 17 points, 4 steals and 2 assists.
• Jaden Bell with 15 points and 6 rebounds.

Inside The Box Score

• Both teams shot 50% or better from the field. Illinois Tech shot 50% exactly, with Rockford shooting 53.8%.
• Rockford held a 21-12 advantage in points off of turnovers.

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks, looking to end a seven-game losing streak, return home to the Keating Center on Wednesday night, when they host Dominican at 7:00 PM in a NACC matchup.