DeLong scores 26, Falcons outlast Regents

ROCKFORD, Ill. – A grind it out effort would be the best way to summarize Concordia Wisconsin and Rockford's efforts on Saturday afternoon inside the Seaver Center. The Falcons edged the Regents, 70-67, with a pair of late free throws and a career game by Taylor DeLong.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 70, Rockford 67
Location: Seaver Center (Rockford, Ill.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 13-3, 11-2 NACC; Rockford 5-12, 3-9 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rockford, who hadn't defeat Concordia Wisconsin in 16-consecutive games, made things interesting throughout; especially in the final quarter. The Regents led 57-55 with five minutes to play in the game after Taylor Made sank a pair of free throws.
- The Falcons responded with an 8-2 scoring run over the next four minutes of play to take momentum, which didn't last long. The Regents were playing their hearts out and got to within a point, 68-67, with three seconds remaining. Sammi Blissett sealed the game for the visitors with a pair of free throws and Nicole Silvers 3-point attempt to send the game into overtime was off the mark as the horn sounded.
- Concordia Wisconsin appeared to be on its way to a four road win in a row after leading by double-figures in the early minutes of the second period. Their lead touched 15 points and hovered around the double-digit mark through 30 minutes of play.
- Rockford played hard in the final 10 minutes on the court, as there were a pair of scoring ties and two lead changes. The Falcons shot 48.1 percent in the game, while the Regents shot 37.3 percent. Some of the reasons why Rockford stayed close in the game was its 14 offensive rebounds (15 second chance points) and advantage in turnovers (13-19).
- Senior Taylor DeLong (Milwaukee, Wis.) returned to form with a career-high 26-point outing on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. She also had seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
- Blissett (senior, Springfield, Ill.) finished with 11 points, three rebounds and four assists; while junior Audrey Scharmer (Winona, Minn.) accumulated 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Neither team shot well from downtown, as Concordia Wisconsin was 1-of-8 and Rockford failed to make an attempt (0-of-11). However, both teams made free throws a good rate (Falcons – 70.8 percent, Regents – 85.0 percent).
- The Falcons scored at least 70 points for the fourth time this season.
- DeLong entered her senior year without a 20-point effort and now has four this season alone.
- Both teams scored 44 points in the paint.

THE OPPOSITION
- Taylor May led the Regents with 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, while also grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out two assists and stealing three passes.
- Mallorie Getzelman tallied 18 points and Tajanae Key recorded a double-double – 12 points and 13 rebounds.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts MSOE on Tuesday at 7 pm inside the R. John Buuck Field House.