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Fairview, Ill. – The Nebraska bowling team swept a pair of seven-game thrillers on championship Sunday to kick off the 2021-22 campaign by winning the Bearcat Hammer Open.
The Huskers, who are the defending NCAA champions, started Sunday's Baker matches with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Arkansas State. The victory sent the Big Red to the championship match to square off with the hosts from McKendree.
Nebraska started strong with a first-game win (245-233), before the Bearcats battled back to claim the second game (232-203). The Big Red regained control with a 200-166 victory in game three, before McKendree evened the match at two games apiece with a 222-210 win in the fourth game. Nebraska assumed the driver's seat again with a 210-202 win, before the Bearcats forced a winner-take-all seventh game with a 220-210 win in the sixth.
The Huskers claimed the tournament crown with a dominant 216-180 victory, to take the series 4-3. Nebraska finished 9-4 overall at the tournament with a total pinfall of 12,943.
"I am extremely happy for the team that they were able to win this weekend's event," Nebraska Head Coach Paul Klempa said. "The lane conditions were very demanding all weekend, and the players just kept on grinding to get to the championship match. McKendree is such a talented and well-coached team and they took us to a seventh and final game for the title."
Senior Cassidy Ray (200.2 average) and junior Kendyl Hofmeister (196.6 average) earned spots on the Bearcat Hammer Open All-Tournament Team for their impressive season-opening performances.
"I am proud of the group for having the determination and resolve to make the shots necessary to win in a final game with the title on the line," Klempa said. "We took inventory of what we need to be better at as we move forward from this weekend's tournament. We will go home and work on those aspects before hitting the road again in two weeks. This was a nice start for Husker Bowling."
Nebraska return to the lanes Nov. 5-7 at the Track Kat Klash in Houston, Texas.
Bearcat Hammer Open Final Standings
1. Nebraska
2. McKendree
3. Arkansas State
4. Wisconsin-Whitewater
5. Lewis
6. Maryville
7. Tusculum
8. Central Missouri
9. Aurora
10. Kentucky Wesleyan
11. Drury
12. Quincy
13. Carroll
14. Carthage
15. North Central College (Ill.)
16. Alabama A&M