LAS VEGAS – The ride came to an end on Friday for the University of Pikeville men's bowling team, as it was eliminated by Mount Mercy (Iowa) University 4-3.
 
The Bears placed seventh in the 2025 Intercollegiate Team Championships, bringing an end to six careers of players on this trip. They were Blake Hisle, Chris LeSueur, Eli Mayberry, Dylan Mishak, Bryce Oliver and Wesley Yazell.
 
A seven-game average of 218.71 will win most of the time in college bowling, but it wasn't enough to keep the season alive.
 
Mishak led the Bears with 12 strikes and no open frames. Oliver, the first-team All-America, had nine strikes without an open. Sophomore Josh Maslanich had eight strikes, while Mayberry fired in seven. Freshman Andrew Robitaille had six.
 
Game One: Mount Mercy had four strikes in its first five games and picked up a 224-205 win. Mishak and Oliver both struck twice.
 
Game Two: The Bears bounced back and won the second game 216-205 to even the match. They did so thanks to rolling strikes on their last five balls, including a fill-ball strike by senior Blake Hisle.
 
Game Three: The Bears charged out of the gates, striking out beginning with the fifth frame to win 232-184. Mishak and Oliver had strikes in both of their frames.
 
Game Four: Despite striking in seven of their 10 frames, the Bears fell to the Mustangs 257-223. Mount Mercy had strikes in eight of nine frames beginning with the second. Mishak, Robitaille and Oliver all struck twice.
 
Game Five: Mount Mercy took a 3-2 lead with a 227-201 decision. Mayberry strike on both rolls but the Mustangs had a pass through the lineup with four strikes and a spare.
 
Game Six: Mishak again had two strikes, and the Bears closed the door with four strikes in the final two frames from Mayberry and Oliver to win 207-177, forcing a seventh and deciding game.
 
Game Seven: Give the Mustangs credit: They opened the decisive game with strikes in their first eight frames to win 269-247. The Bears got two strikes each from Mishak and Mayberry and rolled six straight from three through eight. The series ended with a fill-ball strike by LeSueur.