Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team wrapped up competition in the Sunshine State Classic Sunday in Orlando, Fla., finishing sixth at AMF Sky Lanes. The Dukes opened with a 4-2 victory over No. 2 Arkansas State before falling to No. 1 Vanderbilt, 4-1. In the game for fifth place, the Red Wolves earned a 4-0 win over Duquesne. Through two tournaments of the 2023-24 campaign, the Dukes own an overall record of 17-9 (.654).
Against Arkansas State in the opener Sunday, the Dukes opened with a 223-218 win before falling in game two, 209-188. Duquesne rebounded to win the next two games, 180-148 and 187-174, before the Red Wolves posted a 256-186 triumph in game five. The Dukes responded in game six, clinching the match with a 218-193 win.
The victory over Arkansas State set up a match with No. 1 Vanderbilt, which opened Sunday with a 4-2 setback to No. 6 Youngstown State. The Commodores won the first three games before the Dukes grabbed a 215-213 win in game four, but Vanderbilt clinched the 4-1 victory with a 214-168 win in game five. The setback pushed the Dukes into a game for fifth place and a rematch with the Red Wolves, which earned a 4-0 victory.
Earning the Sunshine State Classic title Sunday was Youngstown State. Bolstered by its win over Vanderbilt in the first best of seven, the Penguins came back from a 2-1 deficit against No. 5 Stephen F. Austin to earn a 4-2 victory. That set up a championship match with Jacksonville State, which earned a 4-1 win over the Lumberjacks to open play. Youngstown State sealed the Sunshine State Classic title with a 4-0 sweep of the Dolphins.
Shannon Small finished eighth individually to lead the Dukes, compiling 1,090 total pins and an average of 218.0.
Kiearra Saldi added 1,077 total pins in the Sunshine State Classic, good enough for a 215.4 average.
Next up for Duquesne is the first of three Northeast Conference (NEC) competitions. The opener takes place at Bowlero North Brunswick in North Brunswich, N.J., and is set for Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12.
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Photo credit: Hunter Overholt (SFA Athletics)
