Sterling Heights, MI – Bears men's bowling advanced through the first round of the NAIA Bowling Championships before a tight loss to St. Francis sent them to the elimination bracket. The Bears dropped from the tournament with a loss to Tennessee Wesleyan in round four.

No. 6 seed UPIKE opened the tournament with a solid showing against No. 11 seed Midland, sweeping the Warriors 3-0 to advance to the second round. The Bears won game one 243-208, topping Midland 192-162 in the second game before completing the sweep with a huge 221-147 win in the final game.

The win pinned the Bears against No. 3 seed St. Francis in what was a nail biter match. St. Francis quickly went up 2-0, outscoring the Bears by a combined 121 pins. The Bears bounced back big in the third game with a 32-pin victory, followed by a 201-176 win in the fourth. Tied at 2-2, the two teams duked it out in game five and St. Francis took the three-pin advantage 194-191.

After losing to St. Francis, the Bears matched up with No. 9 seed Tennessee Wesleyan in the elimination bracket. The Bears took game one 254-181 but would fall in the next three games, dropping from the tournament.

Bryce Oliver still looks ahead as his season continues at the USBC ISC National Championships in April. Oliver will compete in Addison, Ill. from Tuesday, April 19^th through Wednesday, April 20^th.