Nebraska Undefeated After Day One of Columbia 300 Saints Invite

St. Louis – The Nebraska bowling team leads the Columbia 300 Saints Invite after the first day of competition Friday evening.

The Huskers, who went 4-0 on Friday, posted a total pinfall of 4,696 and lead the 11-team field by 69 pins over No. 1 McKendree (4,627), No. 10 Youngstown State (4,536), No. 18 Maryville (4,519) and Lewis (4,477) rounding out the top five after Friday’s five rounds of Baker format.

The starting lineup consisted of Leah Glazer, Michelle Guarro, Kendyl Hofmeister, Crystal Elliot and Cassidy Ray, as Elliot made her Husker debut on Friday.

Nebraska started off the day with a 925-794 victory over Upper Iowa. The Huskers dropped the first two games (149-154,150-167) before rebounding to win the last three games by scores of 232-156, 200-146 and 194-171.

The Huskers continued to roll with a 975-849 win over No. 18 Maryville. The teams were tied at 1-1-1 thru the first three games (209-152, 161-171, 190-190) before the Huskers closed out the match with wins in the final two games (202-175, 213-161).

As one team dropped from contention, the Huskers had a bye in the middle of their day. They still bowled to rack up 824 pins towards their total pinfall.

NU returned from its bye and posted a 967-875 win over Lewis. The teams split the first two games (220-179, 161-166) before the Huskers regrouped with a 201-197 victory in the third game before a convincing 236-167 triumph in the fourth game. Lewis won the final game of the series, 149-168.

Nebraska finished the day strong as the bowlers challenged top ranked McKendree and came out with a 1,005-922 victory. NU dropped the first game (176-185) before taking control of the game with four straight wins to finish the day’s action (222-179, 183-181, 230-191, 194-186).

The tournament will continue on Saturday, as the teams will play five traditional-format matches. NU will face Quincy, Tusculum, No. 10 Youngstown State, No. 23 Lincoln Memorial and Drury on Saturday.

Columbia 300 Saints Invite Day One Standings

1. No. 4 Nebraska (4,696)
2. No. 1 McKendree (4,627)
3. No. 10 Youngstown State (4,536)
4. No. 18 Maryville (4,519)
5. Lewis (4,477)
6. No. 23 Lincoln Memorial (4,461)
7. Kentucky Wesleyan (4,457)
8. Drury (4,350)
9. Upper Iowa (4,307)
10. Tusculum (4,138)
11. Quincy (4,074)