WICHITA, Kan. -- For the first time since 2012, the No. 7-seed University of Pikeville women's bowling team lost in the first round of the Intercollegiate Team Championship, falling to 10th-seeded North Carolina A&T 4-1 at Northrock Lanes on Thursday.

The Aggies advanced in the winner's bracket with scores of 203-155, 208-166, 189-216, 186-144, 200-197. UPIKE, on the other hand, will have to keep winning in the loser's bracket to keep in the title hunt.

From here on out it will be all elimination matches for the Bears, starting with No. 15-seed Notre Dame (Ohio) at 9 a.m. ET on Friday.

The path won't be easy, but it's manageable for this UPIKE team that boasts an NAIA All-American and a lineup of veterans that have played on this stage before. The Bears will need to rally for five straight wins to make it to the finals.

Notre Dame found its way to the loser's bracket after losing to second-seeded Emmanuel by the same score as UPIKE's loss at 4-1.

After beating UPIKE, North Carolina A&T went on to defeat Emmanuel 4-1 as well, setting up a match with hometown favorite and No. 3 seed Wichita State on Friday.

UPIKE opened the day with qualifying where it collected 4,894 pins through 24 Baker games to finish seventh in the 16-team field. Webber International (Fla.) qualified in the top spot with a score of 5,104, followed by Emmanuel at 5,088 and Wichita State with 5,049 pins

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