KANSAS CITY, Kan. (March 26, 2017)-- Jennies Bowling came back from the elimination bracket to defeat Drury and McKendree twice to win the inaugural MIAA Bowling Championships. Central Missouri went 4-1 over the two day span as the No. 2 seed to capture the title.
The Jennies started the day taking on Drury with a spot in title match against McKendree on the line. UCM controlled the best-of-seven series, defeating Drury 4-1 to advance to the championship and set up a rematch with McKendree.
The Jennies needed to win the first series against McKendree for a chance at the MIAA title. UCM got out in front in the first series, going up 3-0 on the Bearcats. Mckendree made things interesting winning the next two matches to bring the series to 3-2. The Jennies thwarted the Bearcats comeback winning the sixth and taking the series, 4-2.
With a winner take all match for the MIAA title on the line, the Jennies and Bearcats battled the full seven matches. The Jennies won the first, 212-183, but McKendree grabbed the second, 193-188, to tie the series 1-1. UCM retook the lead winning the third, 191-178, to get up 2-1.
The Bearcats would not go down easily, winning the fourth match, 211-197, to tie the series 2-2. They went back-and-forth as the Jennies won the the fifth, 194-169, and the Bearcats won the sixth, 213-181, to force a seventh and deciding match. The Jennies edged the Bearcats 169-165 to take home the conference title.
Brianna Zimmerman was named the most outstanding bowler of the tournament as she paced the Jennies over the two day span. The Jennies will now await the announcement of the teams making the NCAA tournament field on Wednesday, March 29, at 3 p.m. as the field is announced on NCAA.com.
