Collegiate Ticker - Jan. 13, 2021

The 2020-2021 United States Bowling Congress Collegiate season got underway last weekend in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with the Pikeville women and Marian-Indiana men claiming the top spots at the Bowling Green Baker Bash.

The first Mid-South Conference tournament of the season was held at Southern Lanes and featured 11 women's teams and 13 men's teams. The tournament consisted of 25 Baker games, with total pinfall determining the winner in each division.

In the women's division, Martin Methodist grabbed the early lead after rolling 298 in Game 3, but Pikeville quickly chipped away at the difference to put itself in position to win heading toward the final games.

Pikeville held a 61-pin advantage with two games remaining, but a 158 effort in Game 24 cut the Bears' lead to just 13 pins over Martin Methodist after the Redhawks rolled 206.

Pikeville was able to maintain its advantage with 181 in the final game, finishing 16 pins ahead of Martin Methodist with a 4,689 total. Martin Methodist (4,673) was followed in the standings by Lindsey Wilson (4,305), Midway (4,272) and Bethel-Tennessee (4,271).

The Marian-Indiana men averaged more than 207 as a team on the way to a 173-pin victory at Southern Lanes, finishing with a 5,185 total.

Tennessee Wesleyan was the only other team to average more than 200 during the competition, taking second with 5,012. Pikeville (4,944), Bethel-Tennessee (4,779) and Life (4,719) rounded out the top five.

The 2020-2021 USBC Collegiate season was postponed until January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The regular season will run until March 28, with the Intercollegiate Team and Singles Championships scheduled to take place May 2-8.

For more information on USBC Collegiate, visit BOWL.com/Collegiate or CollegeBowling.Bowl.com.