Huskers Win TRACK Kat Klash

Houston – The fourth-ranked Nebraska bowling team won its second consecutive TRACK Kat Klash, defeating hosts Sam Houston State, 4-3, in the championship match Sunday at Emerald Lanes in Houston, Texas.

The Cornhuskers (40-16) started slow, falling to Sam Houston State, 4-0, in the opening round of Sunday’s best-of-seven Baker format championship tournament, but rebounded with a sweep over No. 9 Central Missouri to set up a rematch with the hosts in the championship match. NU ran its record to 4-1 against the Jennies on the season.

The Bearkats, who had not lost a game Sunday prior to the championship match, continued to play well early, winning game one by a score of 172-161. The Huskers bounced back, winning games two and three by a combined 63 pins. NU dropped game four, but won game five by a score of 214-197 setting up a chance for the Huskers to win the tournament. Sam Houston State battled back, winning game six to force a deciding game seven. The Huskers prevailed in the deciding game, 215-198, to earn their third straight tournament victory this season.

The win was the Huskers third over the Bearkats this season. NU went 11-3 on the weekend and defeated seven ranked teams along the way.

Central Missouri defeated No. 14 LIU-Brooklyn to take third place.

The Huskers have now finished in the top five at the TRACK Kat Klash in each of the past five years, including to the last two tournament victories.

Julia Bond and Gazmine Mason earned spots on the all-tournament team, as Bond finished third in the individual standings with a 214.4 average and Mason placed fifth with a 208.6 average. Melanie Crawford joined them in the top 10 with a 204 average, good for ninth overall.

“(Bond, Mason and Crawford) did an admirable job the whole time," Nebraska head coach Bill Straub said. "As it was, it came right down to the last game for us to pull it out. This was no easy tussle by a longshot. We just got lucky at the right time.”

The Huskers will return to action following winter break, heading to Jonesboro, Ark., for the Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by No. 1 Arkansas State on Jan. 15-17. The Huskers finished third at the tournament a year ago and have finished in the top five every year in which they have competed going back to 2007. NU won the tournament in 2013.

Track Kat Klash Final Standings
1. Nebraska
2. Sam Houston State
3. Central Missouri
4. LIU-Brooklyn
5. Stephen F. Austin
6. Adelphi
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Texas Southern
9. Jackson State
10. Grambling