Huskers Second Leading Into Final Day at Brunswick Bearcat Open

Fairview Heights, Ill. – The No. 2-ranked Nebraska bowling team sits in second place after two days of competition at the season-opening Brunswick Bearcat Open in Fairview Heights, Ill. The Cornhuskers went 4-0 with a pinfall of 5,055 in five traditional matches on Saturday.

NU will face No. 1 McKendree in the opening round of the best-of-seven Baker format championship tournament on Sunday morning. The Huskers have a total pinfall of 10,065 and an 9-1 record through two days of competition.

Senior Kelly Belzeski finished second in the individual standings with a total pinfall of 1,094 and an average pinfall of 218.8. Julia Bond finished close behind in fourth after posting an average of 215.6 on Saturday.

The Huskers began their day with a win over Valparaiso 1,031-836, before defeating No. 18 North Carolina A&T, 953-855. 

The Huskers won their third match of the day in a close victory over No. 5 Sam Houston State, 1019-1018. 

The Huskers continued the winning streak in their last two games with victories over No. 7 Maryland Eastern Shore, 1051-955, and No. 4 Vanderbilt, 1,001-958.  

No. 1 McKendree leads the tournament with a total pinfall of 10,266. No. 6 Stephen F. Austin sits in third place with a pinfall of 9,756. 

Nebraska’s match against No. 1 Mckendree in the opening round of the best-of-seven Baker format championship tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. (CT) on Sunday. The winner of the NU-SFA match will move on to the championship final, while the loser will face the winner of the Stephen F. Austin-Sam Houston State match for a spot in the final.

Brunswick Bearcat Open Overall Standings (Pinfall after two days of competition)

1. No. 1 McKendree (10,266)
2. No. 2 Nebraska (10,065)
3.  No. 6 Stephen F. Austin (9.756)
4. No. 5 Sam Houston State (9,689)
5. No. 7 Maryland Eastern Shore (9,595)
6. No. 4 Vanderbilt (9,539)
7. No. 10 Central Missouri (9,523)
8. No. 3 Arkansas State (9,483)
9. No. 8 Fairleigh Dickenson (9,282)
10. No.19 Alabama-Birmingham (9,172)
11. No. 18 North Carolina A&T (9,162)
12. St. Francis (9,159)
13. No. 20 Prairie View A&M (8,901)
14. No. 13 Monmouth (8,879)
15. Lincoln Memorial (8,873)
16. No. 24 Youngstown (8,852)
17. Valparaiso (8,843)
18. No. 11 Wisconsin Whitewater (8.697)
19. Maryville (8,588)
20. Drury (8,537)
21. St. Francis (8,415)
22. Aurora (7,476)
23. North Central Collge (6,729)