Struthers, Ohio - The No. 3 Nebraska bowling team finished third in its first tournament of the 2023-24 season at the Motiv Penguin Classic, going 8-5 and tallying a pinfall of 12,677 with a 195.0 average.
The Big Red maintained a third-place position throughout the weekend, entering the first baker five-game match against Niagara on Sunday morning. The Eagles’ slow start in game one (116) allowed NU to create a wide margin with a 193 score. Niagara answered back with a 203 and 178 in games two and three, and Nebraska closed respectively with a 190 and 170. NU added a few extra pins to its tally in game four (200-194) before a low 156 in game five. Despite scoring a 201 in their final game, the difference was too much for the Eagles to handle allowing the Big Red to claim the first win of the day (909-892).
The Huskers then faced No. 11 Duquesne, a repeat of last season’s match at the NCAA Regionals where the Huskers won 2-0. A demanding pair would keep both teams below 200 with Duquesne scoring 176, 180 and 178 in games one through three. The Big Red maintained leverage through the first three games scoring 181, 196 and 185. A hot streak for the Dukes would give them the edge in games four (230) and five (191) with the Huskers only scoring a 169 and 213 allowing Duquesne a 963-944 victory.
Nebraska then moved to its highest ranked match so far this season with a top-three battle against familiar foe, No. 2 Arkansas state. Another repeat of last season's postseason where the Red Wolves edged the Huskers in a 2-0 mega match sweep at the NCAA Championships. An early lead gave the Huskers confidence shooting 215, 205 and 189 in games one through three. The Red Wolves trailed closely with a 185, 204 and 158, but the Huskers sealed the victory in game four (235-208), creating a deficit that ASU would be unable to overcome, giving a rematch win to Nebraska (1058-996).
A trio of Huskers earned top 25 placements for individual performances. Hartzler led the Huskers with runner-up honors, with a total pinfall of 1,060 and a 212.00 average. Martin also stood in the top five in fourth with a 1,046 pinfall and 209.20 average. Desiree Buchert rounded out the team in the top 25 at 19 with a 973 total and a 194.60 average.
NU returns to the lanes Nov. 3-5 as the Huskers travel to Houston, Texas, for the Track Kat Klash hosted by No. 8 Sam Houston.
Motiv Penguin Classic Final Standings:
No. 2 Arkansas State (10-3)
No. 6 Youngstown State (9-4)
No. 3 Nebraska (8-5)
No. 11 Duquesne (9-4
Valparaiso (9-4)
Niagara (7-6)
No. 19 Central Missouri (6-7)
Lewis (5-8)
No. 16 Mercyhurst (6-7)
No. 25 Morgan State (3-10)
Wright State (6-7)
Saint Francis (Pa.) (4-9)
Bryant (2-10)