Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team opened action in the new year Monday by finishing with a record of 2-3 in Baker play at the Stormin Blue & White Vegas Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., at South Point. Overall during the 2023-24 season the Dukes have compiled a record of 38-20 (.655).
The Dukes opened 2024 with a win over Prairie View A&M, 1,072-840, before falling to No. 14 Maryland Eastern Shore, 940-919. Rebounding to win a 952-851 decision over Texas Southern, Duquesne dropped a pair of matches to teams ranked in the top five to conclude action Monday, including a 1,017-994 decision to No. 2 Vanderbilt and a 1,002-961 setback to No. 4 Louisiana Tech.
In a field that features 19 teams, the Dukes rank third in total pins after Baker action, compiling 4,899, an average of 196.0 per game. Only Jacksonville State (4,997) and Nebraska (4,923) rank higher. The Cornhuskers finished a perfect 5-0 in the first day of the Stormin Blue & White Vegas Classic, while Jacksonville State, the No. 1 team in the country, posted a record of 3-2.
The 1,072 pins the Dukes tallied in their first match of the new year against the Panthers marked the second highest total of Monday's scores, trailing only the 1,078 that Jacksonville State accrued against Nebraska.
The lineup for the first two matches Monday included junior
Ranelle Ulanday, senior
Brenna Gleim, junior
Morgan Brookover, senior
Shannon Small and grad student
Kiearra Saldi, with sophomore
Emma Siekierski subbing in the opening slot of the lineup for the final three matches. The best score of the day came in game two against Louisiana Tech as the Dukes rolled a 236 in grabbing an early 461-364 lead, but the Bulldogs responded in game three by firing a 257.
The Dukes return to action Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Las Vegas, Nev., with traditional play. Duquesne opens against Jackson State before four consecutive matches against ranked foes at South Point.
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