By: Quin Smith
Bowling Green, KY – The Patriots Women's Bowling team finishes third at the Mid-South Conference Championships after a 1-2 mark on Friday. Chris Chandler was also named the MSC Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.
The fourth-seeded Patriots entered the day in round two after defeating fifth-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan yesterday 4-2.
In their first match of the day, Cumberlands took on top-seeded Cumberland University. The Phoenix took the first game, knocking down 168 pins to UC's 159. The Patriots answered in game two with a tight 181-179 win to even the match at 1-1. UC kept the momentum going by winning the next two games to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The Pats won game three by a score of 166-145 and game four 185-177. Cumberland University would push back, outscoring the Pats in the next two games to force a winner-take-all game seven. UC outlasted the Phoenix 158-148 in the final game to secure the second-round win and continue on in the winner's bracket.
In the third-round, Cumberlands matched up with second-seeded Pikeville. The Bears took the first two games, outscoring the Pats 317-283 in total pinfall. UC bounced back in game three with 188 pins compared to the Bears 169, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Pikeville increased their lead back to two at 3-1 after winning game four 180-152. Cumberlands knocked down 164 pins in game five, but the Bears would knock down 178 to secure the 4-1 victory.
The Patriots then headed to the consolation bracket where they met top-seeded Cumberland University for the second time of the day with a chance to go to the championship match. The Phoenix got out to a strong start, taking the first two games 174-132 and 171-104. UC battled back to win game three by knocking down 176 pins compared to Cumberland University's 149. The Patriots fell in a tightly contested fourth game, by a slim margin of one pin. The Phoenix came away with a 186-185 victory, increasing their lead to 3-1. In game five, Cumberland University knocked down 180 pins with UC tallying 142 to win the match 4-1.
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