PITTSBURGH, Pa., April 5, 2024 – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s bowling team fell in the morning’s regional opener against Duquesne University 2-1 in the mega-match format.  

The match started off strong for the Hawks who won the traditional format by 40 pins with a score of 897 to 857. Diana Ochoa Hubbard led UMES with a team-high score of 192.  

The Dukes evened the match score at one all after winning the total pinfall baker games by 33 pins, 951-918.  

The two teams had just a ten-pin differential after the first game as Duquesne won 191-181, but a rough game two from Maryland Eastern Shore put the Hawks behind by 108 pins as the Dukes won game two 237-139.  

UMES led in game three 203-167 cutting the pinfall count to 72 pins before DU won game four 196-187 putting the pin count at 81. Maryland Eastern Shore won the fifth game 208-160 pulling within 33 pins which was just enough of a margin for Duquesne to win the total pinfall format.  

The teams then went to the best-of-seven baker format to decide the advancing team. The Dukes carried their momentum from the last five games into the next round as they won the first two games, 203-191, 190-163. UMES took game three 196-193, but Duquesne won the last two baker games, 190-155 and 182-173, to win the match 2-1. 

The Hawks move on to the elimination bracket where they will face the Lakers of Mercyhurst University to remain in the NCAA Bowling Tournament. The teams start at 3 P.M. in Pittsburgh, Pa.