Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University bowling team opened the 2026 NCAA Regional Friday, falling in its opener to No. 4 Nebraska, 2-1, at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes before winning an elimination match against Belmont Abbey, 2-0. The Dukes own an overall record of 63-44 (.589) during the 2025-26 season and advance to another elimination match Saturday against Nebraska at 9:00 a.m.
NEBRASKA
Against the Cornhuskers, the Dukes started hot, earning a 1,033-1,015 victory in the traditional match to grab a 1-0 lead in the mega match. Nebraska rallied during a five-game total pinfall Baker match, grabbing an 86-pin lead in game one thanks to a 245-159 victory. The Cornhuskers eclipsed 200 in each of the five games, totaling 1,181 pins in earning a 272-pin victory and evening the best of three series, 1-1.
SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE
Moving to the best-of-seven Baker, each game won in the series came on the left lane, the number nine lane at AMF Mt. Lebanon, with Nebraska prevailing in the seventh and deciding game. The Cornhuskers won game one, 225-173, with the Dukes evening the series, 237-227, in game two. Game three saw Nebraska earn a 246-174 win before Duquene tied the series again, 2-2, with a 215-175 triumph. In game five, the Cornhuskers slipped by the Dukes by just one pin, 215-214, but Duquesne would force a game seven thanks to a 186-160 victory in game six. The deciding game saw the Cornhuskers win the three-game series, 2-1, thanks to a 219-202 triumph.
BELMONT ABBEY
The setback to Nebraska forced Duquesne into an elimination match against Belmont Abbey, which opened the NCAA Championship Thursday with a victory over St. Vincent, 2-1, before falling to Arkansas State, 2-0, during Friday's morning session. The Dukes opened with a 948-915 win in traditional play and kept that momentum going into the five-game total pinfall. Duquesne grabbed an early 18-pin lead thanks to a 196-178 triumph in the opening game and expanded that advantage to 70 pins in game two courtesy of a 198-146 win. Game three saw the Dukes push their pin lead to 94 after a 169-145 win, and game four saw the highest score from both teams, with Duquesne prevailing, 223-221. The Crusaders would win game five, 209-192, but fell in total pins, with the Dukes owning a 978-899 overall advantage to win the mega match, 2-0.
STRIKES & SPARES
Arkansas State defeated Nebraska, 2-1, in the other mega match of the afternoon session to finish 2-0 on the day and advance to the regional final Saturday … Senior Kaylee Beck of the Red Wolves fired a perfect 300 in the traditional match to open action Friday against Belmont Abbey … The Cornhuskers own a pair of NCAA regional championships at AMF Lebanon Lanes (2023, 2025), while Jacksonville State claimed the 2024 regional title … Nebraska leads the all-time series with Duquesne, 13-3, including a 2-1 mark this season … The Dukes are a perfect 4-0 all-time against Belmont Abbey, with each of the wins coming in the last three seasons.
UP NEXT
Duquesne and Nebraska will meet again Saturday at 9:00 a.m., with the winner advancing to face Arkansas State at 2:30 p.m. at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes.
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