PITTSBURGH - Duquesne, making its second NCAA Championship appearance, went 1-1 on the opening day of Regional Round play at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes in suburban Pittsburgh.

The Dukes defeated Stephen F. Austin, 2-0, in the morning session, prior to falling to top seed Nebraska, 0-2, in the afternoon session of the double-elimination mega-match format event.

Duquesne will face Stephen F. Austin again in an elimination match Saturday at 9:00 am., with the winner moving on to face Nebraska - a double-winner on Friday - Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

SFA eliminated Mercyhurst on Friday afternoon.

The Dukes, playing at their home lanes, came out strong in the traditional round, defeating the Ladyjacks 982-854 on Friday morning. Shannon Small paced DU with a 226 and Ranelle Ulanday - who opened with four consecutive strikes - posted a 203. Kiearra Saldi added a 199 for the Dukes.

Duquesne, with a lineup of Ulanday, Brenna Gleim, Morgan Brookover, Small and Saldi, fell behind by 34 pins through the first two baker games, before cutting the margin to five entering game five. The Dukes dominated the fifth game, marking in every frame, to defeat SFA 226-174 and take the match 919-872.

With the win, DU moved on to face the region's top seed, Nebraska, in the winner's bracket.

The Huskers had four bowlers score over 200 in defeating the Dukes, 1040-882, in the traditional round. Ranelle Ulanday led DU with a 191.

DU opened the baker round with a 197-188 win, before Nebraska gained a 17-pin advantage with a 176-150 win in game two. The Dukes cut the deficit to six following game three, but could get no closer as the Cornhuskers closed it out with a 152-147 win in game four and 228-199 victory in game five to take the match 939-899.

All matches from the Regional are being streamed live by BowlTV. Please visit the Pittsburgh Region Tournament Central for up-to-date information.

FRIDAY
Morning session

vs. Stephen F. Austin (2-0)
Traditional
DUQ 982, SFA 854
Ulanday 203, Gleim 181, Brookover 173, Small 226, Saldi 199

Baker
DUQ 919, SFA 872
166-165, 132-167, 192-164, 203-202, 226-174

Afternoon session winners bracket

vs. Nebraska (0-2)
Traditional
NEB 1040, DUQ 882
Ulanday 191, Gleim 178, Brookover 171, Small 175, Saldi 167

Baker
NEB 939, DUQ 899
197-188, 150-176, 206-195, 147-152, 199-228