George Town, Grand Cayman – The Duquesne University bowling team concluded its fall 2024 season Sunday, finishing eighth out of 20 teams at the Garden State Classic in Howell, N.J., at Howell Lanes. The Dukes finished with a record of 9-4 during the event, improving to 32-19 (.627) overall during the 2024-25 season.
PERFECT IN BAKER
Duquesne opened the Garden State Classic in Baker action, finishing a perfect 5-0 to open the tournament Friday. The Dukes earned a 918-789 win over Molloy to begin the event and followed with wins over Adelphi (969-786), Coppin State (952-799), Wilmington (955-871) and Dominican (930-926). The lineup included sophomore
Maribeth Baker, graduate student
Samantha Timm, junior
Emma Siekierski and seniors
Ranelle Ulanday and
Shannon Small in the first two victories, with sophomore
Ivanna Fraticelli inserted into the lineup in match three against the Eagles and continuing in victories over the Wildcats and Chargers.
BATTLING BACK
To close out Baker play Friday, Duquesne trailed heading into the final game, 782-739, against Dominican but rallied for a 47-point victory in the deciding game, 191-144. It helped the Dukes win the match by four pins and secure a perfect 5-0 opening to the tournament. Duquesne rolled a 232 in game two of its win over Coppin State for its highest score in Baker play during the first day of action, which came after the Dukes posted a 214 in game two as well as a 225 in game three in the win over Adelphi.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
The Dukes finished 3-2 in traditional play Saturday, earning another victory over the No. 1 team in the country in the process. Duquesne stretched its winning streak to 10 by opening traditional play with a 979-895 win over Bryant as well as a 1,028-719 triumph over Holy Family. The Dukes had their winning streak snapped by dropping a 954-938 decision to No. 3 Youngstown State before falling to No 9 Maryville, 988-881. Duquesne rallied in the final match of the day in traditional action, defeating No. 1 Jacksonville State for the second time this season, 1,013-946. The Dukes entered the year with one victory against the No. 1 team in NCAA Division I in their short history, which came against Vanderbilt during the 2019-20 season, but have defeated the Gamecocks twice this season. Saturday's win followed a 996-945 victory over
Jacksonville State at Destination Orlando last month.
FRAMES AND MORE
Four of the five Dukes who bowled against Jacksonville State eclipsed 200 in the win as it was a balanced effort. Small led the way with a 215, while Ulanday added a 206 and Siekierski a 202. Duquesne also got a huge game from senior
Morgan Brookover, who fired a 201, while Baker rolled a 189. Small finished traditional play by scoring 210 or better in four of her five matches, including a 258 in the win over Holy Family. Ulanday averaged 194.40 in traditional play to finish 26th individually with 972 total pins, with her best score of the day coming in the opening win over Bryant with a 245.
ALL THE SMALL THINGS
Small wrapped up the fall season with another stellar day of action in traditional play Saturday, finishing third individually for her second consecutive top five finish as well as her third top 10 tally of the campaign. She knocked down 1,084 total pins, just one behind Jillian Martin of Nebraska for second, in averaging 216.80 during the five games and earning all-tournament honors. Small owns seven career top five finishes thanks to her performance at the Garden State Classic, which ranks third in program history. Taking home the individual crown was Madison Doseck of Youngstown State, who finished with 1,133 total pins and an average score of 226.60.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
The Dukes opened play Sunday in the final round against No. 12 Mount St. Mary's, falling in the best-of-seven series, 4.5-2.5. The Dukes and Mount tied in game two, 190-190, and the Dukes forced a deciding game with a 202-183 victory in game six. Mount St. Mary's secured the win in game seven with a 289-149 triumph. Duquesne bounced back from the loss to the Mount to sweep No. 23 Delaware State, 4-0, before closing out the tournament with a 4-2 setback to No. 6 North Carolina A&T.
TEAM TITLE
Youngstown State was crowned champion of the Garden State Classic Sunday after earning wins over Vanderbilt, Jacksonville State and Nebraska to finish in first. The Penguins finished the tournament with a 12-1 record and 13,541 total pins. The Commodores and Huskers each also finished 12-1, with their only losses of the tournament coming to the Penguins Sunday. The Dukes, meanwhile, closed out the tournament with an average score of 192.3 thanks to 12,881 total pins in 67 games.
UP NEXT
The fall season complete, Duquesne returns to action in January with the Northeast Classic. The tournament is set for Friday, Jan. 17, through Sunday, Jan. 19, at Bowlerama in New Castle, Del., and will be hosted by Sacred Heart.
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