HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The LIU bowling team took part in the 2022 Northeast Conference championship tournament Thursday at Hamilton Lanes. The No. 5 seeded Sharks triumphed in the play-in match, upsetting No. 4 seed FDU, 2-1 in the mega-match to advance to the first round of tournament action. There, they took on top-seeded Sacred Heart, falling to the Pioneers, 2-0.
 
With the loss, LIU moves to the elimination bracket, and will bowl in a must-win match at 9 a.m. Friday.
 
SHARK BITES

• The mega match format that the tournament consists of includes three different matches in three different formats. The first is a traditional match, followed by a five-game baker match, and then a best-of-7 baker match, if needed. The tournament is a double-elimination format, meaning teams must lose twice to be eliminated.
• Between matches, the conference presented All-NEC honors. LIU rookie Sydney Binkley earned All-Rookie team honors. She averaged 18.86 pins per frame to earn her spot on the All-Rookie Team.

SHARK BITES – vs. #4 seed FDU

• The first match of the day was a thrilling, come-from-behind win for the Sharks, as they upset No.4 seed and defending champions FDU, 2-1.
• In the traditional match, LIU led the Knights until the 10th frame, when FDU mounted a come-from-behind win to take the victory by just five pins, 1080-1075.
• In the traditional match, four Sharks bowled over 200 to lead the impressive pinfall total: Francesca Rossi, who had six strikes in a row to bowl a team-high 243, Brittany Lucci (236), Kellie Frain (210) and Patricia Kelly (202).
• With FDU up 1-0, the Sharks went on to bowl one of their best baker matches of the season, over 200 in every match for a 1089-1053 win. LIU won all but one of the matchups, 204-191, 212-204, 235-196, 213-247, 225-215.
• With the mega match tied up 1-1, the two teams went to a best-of-seven. LIU went up 3-2 in the match before FDU would win, forcing a decisive game seven. There, the Sharks won handily, to take the 4-3 win, and the mega match 2-1 victory.
• Best of seven baker scores were: 211-195, 141-221, 171-228, 243-156, 245-237, 188-214, 220-196.
• With the win, LIU advanced, sending home the defending champions.

 
SHARK BITES – vs. #1 seed SHU

• Match two saw LIU taking on the top-seeded Pioneers, who have been dominant in the league this season. Sacred Heart eliminated the #5 seeded Sharks, 2-0.
• LIU fell in the traditional match, 904-1076 to give SHU a 1-0 lead.
• The Sharks then fell in the five-game baker match, 995-1065 (246-188, 188-246, 190-216, 188-198, 183-217).
• Sacred Heart now moves to the winner's bracket while LIU will head to the elimination bracket. The Sharks will take on the loser of the other first-round match (Mount St. Mary's or Duquesne) Friday at 9 a.m. The winner of that match will advance to the second elimination match, Friday at 2 p.m.
• NEC championship headquarters, including complete results, bracket and live streaming links, is here.