(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 12)—The McKendree University women's bowling team turned in three strong days of bowling to win its second consecutive tournament on Sunday, taking top honors at the Warkhawk Classic. The three-day tournament wrapped up Sunday in Kenosha, Wis., and was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
 
The Bearcats won 12 of 13 matches over the three days, sweeping Friday's Baker competition before taking all three bracket contests on Sunday for the tournament victory. The win at the Warhawk Invitational comes on the heels of McKendree's win the previous week at the Track Kat Klash in Houston, Texas.
 
McKendree opened its run at the Warhawk Invitational by winning all five of its Baker matches on Friday. The Bearcats' average win margin in the five matches was nearly 155 pins. McKendree started with victories against Arkansas State University (1,061-934) and Vanderbilt University (1,087-903) before winning their closest contest of the day, a 123-pin decision over Elmhurst College (954-831). The Bearcats then finished off the day with triumphs against the University of Central Missouri (1,120-962) and Long Island University-Brooklyn (1,166-985).
 
On Saturday, the 18-team field participated in five traditional matches. McKendree began its day its lone loss of the week, a 974-954 setback against Sam Houston State University. The Bearcats bounced back to win their final four contests of the day, beginning with a 1,096-832 decision against Adelphi University. McKendree wrapped up qualifying with victories against Lewis University (1,112-840), Fairleigh Dickinson University (1,024-962) and Valparaiso University (1,014-875).
 
The Bearcats' 9-1 record over the first two days enabled McKendree to earn the top seed for Sunday's bracket play. McKendree faced off against second-seeded Arkansas State in a first-round match. Bowling in a best-of-seven Baker format, the Bearcats faced a 3.5-1.5 deficit after five games, which included a 204-204 tie in the third game. McKendree rallied to win the final three games to take the match, posting a 214-158 win in the deciding seventh game.
 
After sweeping Lincoln University in the second round, McKendree reached the finals to face Arkansas State one more time. Once again, the match went the distance as all seven games were needed. The Bearcats trailed 3-2 before posting convincing wins in games six and seven, 279-184 and 268-184, to bring home the championship.
 
Junior Breanna Clemmer (Clover, SC/Clover) had the highest finish for McKendree in the final individual standings. Clemmer took 14^th place overall with 1,071 pins for a 214.2 average in her five-game block on Saturday. Junior Taylor Bailey (Joliet, IL/Joliet West) was close behind in 16^th place with 1,049 pins for a 209.8 average. Senior Lauren Pate (Inver Groves Heights, MN/Simley) and junior Shannon Grimm (Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit) placed 19^th and 20^th, respectively, as each collected 1,042 pins for a 208.4 average.
 
McKendree will return to NCAA action Jan. 11-13 at the Mid-Winter Invitational, which will be hosted by Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark.