HAMILTON, N.J. (March 24, 2022) – Mount St. Mary's bowling had to dig deep to remain in the winner's bracket during Thursday's playing of the Northeast Conference Championships. Taking care of business, the Mount fended off a worthy challenge from the Duquesne Dukes and advance to Friday's semifinals.
 
After taking the traditional match with a 1,129, Duquesne responded in kind with an 1,138 in Quint Bakers. Using a solid game five and six in the best-of-seven brackets, the Mount finished off their opening opponent.
 
Hours after receiving a First Team All-NEC selection, anchor Rebecca Dodson led the way. In traditional play, the senior took charge with a 249, following it up with a blistering 25.28 Baker average to close out the day. Fellow senior and Second Team member Tamera Stanton rallied for a 20.67 average. Amanda Yeung started off in style with a 237 traditional game, and Alyssa Alexander eclipsed the 20-pin mark in Bakers with a 20.10.
 
Traditional: Mount 1,129 | Duquesne 1,084
 
Yeung and Dodson provided the spark in the first round, stringing together several strikes. They needed every shot as all five Dukes registered a 200 or higher. Yeung posted strikes from frames four to nine, and Dodson struck out from the fifth frame on, with an assist from Danielle Milo on the last ball. Stanton and Alexander added respective scores of 219 and 226 to put the Mount on top.
 
Quint Baker: Mount, 938 | Duquesne 1,138
 
Already proven to be a top tier foe, the Dukes rallied to stay alive by continuing their streak of plus-200 games. Ranging from a 202 to a 256, the #11 team in the nation surged ahead of the Mountaineers and stayed there, edging the competition in each contest. Top scores for the Mount include a 214 in the final set and a 201.
 
Bracket Play: Mount 4 (231-147-213-162-267-214) | Duquesne 2 (214-213-192-226-257-202)
 
An initial back-and-forth battle hit its grudge in the fifth game. Neither team missed much at all, with Duquesne splitting the opening frame and Alexander's foul in the fourth preventing perfection. The Mount struck out until a seven on the final ball, but it was more then enough as a nine-spare in the eighth by the Dukes measured the distance. Following some lineup adjustments, the Mount returned to their starting five who answered the call. The sixth game also came down to the 10^th frame. With Duquesne working on a double, they turned to Bowler of the Year Olivia Farwell. Coming up with responses all day long, the Dukes finally faltered with a split. Dodson answered with the mega match clinching strike, ensuring the Mount stayed in the winner's bracket.
 
Achieving triumph elevated the Mount to play Sacred Heart in the semifinals. Winner punches their ticket to the championship game, while the loser must stave off elimination later in the afternoon. Games begin at 9 a.m., airing live on NECFrontRow.com.