ERIE, PA – The Niagara University bowling team took home the team championship at the Mercyhurst Fall Classic after winning a best-of-seven game over Wilmington College, 4-1.
The Purple and White went 3-1 in four baker matches before the final game against Wilmington, defeating Pitt Bradford, Mercyhurst, and Penn State Behrend.
Senior Brianna Thurston was named Tournament MVP and sophomore Emily Brock earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. Brock led NU on Sunday with a total pinfall of 892, and senior Paige Snook led the Purple and White with a Baker frame average of 19.72.
Baker Match 1: Niagara 821, Pitt-Bradford 726
The Purple Eagles started the day with a win over Pitt Bradford with a total pinfall of 821. Niagara trailed 329 322 after the first two games, before rebounding for a 62-pin advantage heading into the fifth and final game of the match. NU would take the fifth game 165-132 to earn its first win of the day.
Baker Match 2: Niagara 872, Wilmington 923
Niagara lost its second match, falling to the Fighting Quakers, 923-872. Niagara outscored Wilmington in games two through four, but the Fighting Quakers earned a 40-pin win in game one and an 80-pin win in the final match to defeat the Purple Eagles.
Baker Match 3: Niagara 944, Mercyhurst 814
Niagara rebounded with a win over the invitational host Mercyhurst in its fourth match of the day. The Purple and White won all five games by an average pinfall of 26.
Baker Match 4: Niagara 859, Penn State Behrend 756
Niagara earned a 103-point win over the Behrend Lions in its final scheduled baker match of the afternoon, winning four of five games.
Title Match (Best of Seven): Niagara 4, Wilmington 1 (168-153, 188-115, 222-216, 189-222, 223-185)
Niagara took on Wilmington in a best-of-seven title match to decide the Mercyhurst Fall Classic Champion. The Purple and White took the first three games, 168-153, 188-115, 222-216, before falling in the fourth game 222-189 as the Fighting Quakers forced a fifth game, which the Purple Eagles took in convincing fashion, 223-185.
Up Next
Niagara will travel to Youngstown, Ohio, for the YSU Penguin Classic, a three-day invitational beginning on Friday, Oct. 13.
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