Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team finished fourth at the 2024 Northeast Conference championships in Hamilton, N.J., at Hamilton Lanes. The Dukes opened competition falling to Merrimack, 2-1, before dropping a 2-0 decision to Sacred Heart in an elimination match.
No. 4 seed Merrimack, ranked 16th in the country and having earned a 2-0 win over Saint Francis U in a play-in match, claimed the 2024 NEC championship and league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in just its second year sponsoring the program.
Against the Warriors, the Dukes fell in the opener, 964-933, in traditional play. Moving to Baker format, Duquesne tied the best-of-three, 1-1, with a 1,024-943 win in game two. The Dukes opened with a 214-181 win and also rolled a 232 in game three and a 225 in game four.
In game three, Duquesne grabbed an early 2-0 advantage thanks to wins by the score of 200-189 and 194-192, but Merrimack advanced by winning the next four games to claim the Baker match, 4-2.
Moving into the elimination bracket, the Dukes took on Sacred Heart, the No. 2 seed in the tournament and ranked 18th in the latest NTCA Top 25 poll. The Pioneers opened with a 967-874 triumph in traditional play and advanced with a 1,105-1,089 win over the Dukes in Baker play in game two.
SHU earned a 228-215 win in the opener of the best-of-five total pinfall match before Duquesne rebounded with a 223-183 win in game two and a 214-199 victory in game three to open up a 43-pin lead. The Pioneers answered with a 276-213 win in game four, with the margin helping Sacred Heart open up a 19-pin advantage. Duquesne won game five, 224-219, but was unable to close the gap to advance.
The NCAA Selection Show for the 2024 NCAA Tournament airs live on NCAA.com at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. The Dukes will look to see if they get an at-large bid for the second consecutive year. Duquesne hosts one of four NCAA Regionals at AMF Lanes in Mt. Lebanon Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. Competition could begin Thursday, April 4, should Pittsburgh be awarded a five-team field.
FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and updates on Duquesne bowling, follow the Dukes on Twitter (X) and Instagram.
