For the 5th straight year, the Nebraska Bowling team will bowl tonight for a National Championship on ESPNU.
The Huskers had a hell of a day on Saturday. First off, they bowled Sam Houston State in the elimination part of the bracket. They appeared to have the win after defeating the Bearkats in Game 7. HOWEVER, THE RULES WERE BROKEN.
@BrianRTowle From my understanding the 2nd bowler was ineligible. She went to the practice pair when she already participated in the match.
— TheNTCA (@TheNTCA) April 15, 2017
Well, that’s a bad rule break, so by rule the game is halved, and you go on. BUT, since the match ended at 3.5 per team, a five frame rolloff ensued. Nebraska was victorious on that aspect though.
Needing extra frames, @NEBowling defeats @ESHawksBowling in a rolloff, 100-88. Nebraska will face @VandyBowling, and UMES is eliminated. pic.twitter.com/ooKBugVZ38
— USBC (@USBC) April 15, 2017
That gave Nebraska the chance to beat Vanderbilt twice to make the TV show. And they delivered.
.@NEBowling defeats @VandyBowling, 4-1 to force a second semifinal. @McKBowling up 3-2 against @BearkatsBOWL. #NCAABowl pic.twitter.com/9G5R8vIIIf
— USBC (@USBC) April 15, 2017
Then, with the match knotted up at 2.5 wins each, Nebraska anchor Julia Bond came up clutch.
Julia Bond delivers in a must-strike situation to give @NEBowling the 188-187 win and 3.5-2.5 advantage over @VandyBowling. Game 7 next. pic.twitter.com/cOxZ2Yljij
— USBC (@USBC) April 15, 2017
That propelled Nebraska to a 4.5-2.5 win on the match, putting them on the TV show tonight.
They will take on a McKendree team that, while they are a Div 2 school, have shined big time this week. Not only did they lead qualifying, they’re undefeated in Match Play as well.
BREAKING: @McKBowling advances to the finals of the 2017 @NCAA Women's Bowling Championship, defeating @BearkatsBOWL, 4-3. #NCAABowl pic.twitter.com/lu4UuDnFLr
— USBC (@USBC) April 15, 2017
McKendree is coached by Shannon O’Keefe, who is not only a great bowler, but also the D2 coach of the year. Her husband is Bryan O’Keefe, who is a Nebraska Bowling alum & the current coach of Junior Team USA.
Nebraska has gotten this far with a B+ game so far, and quite honestly they are going to have to step up & use the experience of bowling on TV and the lights to get by. McKendree is no joke this week.
This is your thread. Watch the 1-2-3 spots for Nebraska, as they go, so goes Nebraska. Clean games are good, strikes help.
Who: Nebraska vs. McKendree
Where: Raising Canes RiverCenter, Baton Rouge, Lousiana
TV: ESPNU at 5:30 Central
Streaming: WatchESPN