Huskers Open Play At Crusader Classic

VALPARAISO, Ind. - The top-ranked Nebraska bowling team began its quest for a second consecutive Crusader Classic title Friday, finishing with a 2-3 record in five Baker matches. The Huskers sit in sixth place overall through the first day of competition at Inman’s Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind.

After a slow start where the Huskers lost their first three matches, NU rebounded with two consecutive wins to finish the day. Each team the Big Red faced Friday was ranked in the top 25.

Nebraska finished the day with a total pinfall of 4,651. No. 5 Vanderbilt leads the field with a 5-0 record and a pinfall of 5,043. No. 2 Arkansas State sits in second place, finishing with a 4-1 record and a pinfall of 4,860. McKendree (3-2; 4,849), Wisconsin-Whitewater (2-3; 4,843) and Central Missouri (4-1; 4,727) round out the top five.

Nebraska defeated No. 19 Tulane, 972-905, and No. 23 Monmouth, 936-854, in back-to-back matches to end the day’s action on a high note.

The Huskers dropped a pair of matches to top-five teams to start the day, falling to Arkansas State in the first match, 1,078-943, and Vanderbilt, 886-869, in the second.

A back-and-forth match against host Valparaiso saw NU hold a 21-pin lead going into the fourth game, but a strong finish from the No. 15 Crusaders led to a 942-931 victory over the Huskers.

Nebraska won the Crusader Classic a year ago and has finished in the top three each of the last five years.

The Huskers will return to the lanes Saturday at 9:25 a.m., with five traditional team matches.