Huskers Fifth at Mid-Winter Invitational

Jonesboro, Ark. – The second-ranked Nebraska bowling team went 4-1 for the second straight day, but sit in fifth place after two days of competition at the Mid-Winter Invitational at Jonesboro Bowling Center in Jonesboro, Ark. The Cornhuskers (48-18) defeated three ranked teams in five traditional matches Saturday. NU has a total pinfall of 9,889 and an average of 197.8 on the weekend.

The Huskers have been eliminated from championship contention, but will play for a chance at third-place on Sunday’s final day of competition.

No. 4 Sam Houston State leads the overall standings with a 10,227 pinfall and a 204.5 average, followed by No. 9 McKendree with a 10,094 pinfall and a 201.9 average

Briana Zabierek led the Huskers with a 209.8 average, good for 10th individually. Julia Bond finished 17th with a 202.2 average, while Bethany Hedley and Gazmine Mason finished 19th and 20th, respectively, with averages of 199.4 and 199.

The Huskers began the day with a victory over No. 3 Vanderbilt, 983-969. In the second match of the day, NU faced Sam Houston State. The Huskers dropped a close match to the Bearkats, 1,071-1,069.

Nebraska then rolled to three consecutive wins to close out the day, beginning with a 1,034-973 victory over No. 4 Central Missouri.

The Huskers battled Lincoln (Mo.) University and won, 920-761, in the penultimate match of the day. NU faced McKendree to close out the day and won by a score of 983-897.

The Huskers will face No. 7 Wisconsin-Whitewater in the first round of Sunday’s bracket-play tournament to determine a champion, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The winner of that match moves on to play the loser of the Arkansas State-Vanderbilt match for a shot at the third-place match.