STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - Kansas Wesleyan Men's Bowling opened play at the NAIA Men's Bowling National Championships on Thursday at 5 Star Lanes.
The tournament started with all 12 teams rolling 24 baker games to determine seeding for bracket play. The Coyotes headed into the final block of four games in fourth place but slipped to the ninth spot after the completion of the final block of four games.
KWU ended up seeded ninth, and faced No. 8 seed Pikeville (Ky.) in the first round of bracket play in a best-of-seven series.
In the first game, KWU squeaked by with a 187-185 win, but dropped the second to UPIKE 262-188. KWU bounced back in the third game, another close one winning 211-209 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Pikeville won the next two games to take a 3-2 lead in the match, however, the Coyotes were not to be denied. KWU claimed Game 6 268-184, then would win the match with a 198-194 victory in Game 7.
The Coyotes were the lone lower seed to win a first round game to start bracket play.
KWU advances in the winner's bracket and will face top-seeded SCAD Savannah on Friday starting at 7 a.m. Central Time, 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The winner of that match advances to the winner's bracket semifinals at 11 a.m. Central, Noon Eastern against the winner between No. 4 St. Francis (Ill.) and No. 5 Milligan.