4/18/2008 4:00:00 AM MEAC Media Relations

UMES Moves Into Final Four Of USBC Championships

Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) moved one step closer to a second national championship today with a solid outing during the second day of the United State Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships.

The Lady Hawks, who entered the event on the heels of winning the 2008 NCAA Women's Bowling National Championship, earned a seventh seed on the opening day, knocking down 6,160 pins, 347 pins out of first.

UMES is now in the final four of the event, being held at Northrock Lanes, after winning four games and losing one. The Hawks opened the event with a 4-1 win over Newman, the tenth seed(191-167, 197-221, 192-158, 222-190, 240-201). The Hawks then had to face second seed Lindenwood in round two and were surprised to fall 4-0 (203-177, 225-222, 208-191, 170-153).

UMES rebounded; they went on to eliminate 11th seed Fresno State 4-0 in the third round (189-165, 194-174, 203-192, 204-184) and then eliminate Central Florida, the sixth seed, 4 -2 (202-180,207-206, 238-245, 197-169, 185-195, 222-174) in round four.

UMES then had to see Lindenwood again. Lindenwood had since dropped a 4-3 loss to Pikeville and both teams were fighting to make it to the semi-finals. This time there was was no sweep.

The Lady Hawks posted a huge 4-3 win (236-167, 167-232, 177-144, 194-180, 194-203, 184-202, 255-195) and with it set up a date with Pikeville on Saturday.

Unfortunately for UMES, the tournament is double elimination and their one loss means they have to top Pikeville twice to get into the finals. If they do they will face either Wichita State or Morehead State. Wichita State is undefeated and will only have to win once to advance. The semi-finals are a best four of seven Baker game format but the finals will be a best of three single-elimination match.

The last time Pikeville was undefeated going into the semifinals came in 2005, when West TexasA&M defeated the Bears 4-0 and 4-0 to deny them the championship berth.

The USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, features the top 16 men's and top 16 women's college bowling teams in the country vying for national titles. All 32 teams competed in best-of-7, double-elimination match play in the Baker format Friday.

The Lady Hawks take to the lanes on Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m. (ET) searching for their second national title in as many weeks. Fans can follow the action live on www.bowl.com.