ST. CHARLES, Mo. – McKendree men's bowling won its first tournament of the year after going 4-0 in bracket play at the Lions Classic this past weekend.  

Out of the three teams McKendree brought, they had five bowlers in the top 20 with Macallan Gagne leading the Bearcats in second with a 224 average and a 671 pinfall. Trace Elliott was closely behind him with a 660 series and finished in fifth place. Rounding out the top 10 was Conner Lunning in ninth with a 209 average. In the top 20 were Nathan Bassford and Bradon West with averages of 192 and 191 respectively.   

In the bracket, McKendree got the first seed and had a first-round bye where they would face off against Luther College and handle them in two games of a best of three baker game match. After advancing to the third round, they would play fifth seed Wright State and once again win 2-1 to advance to the semifinal. Luther College would work their way back through the consolation bracket and have a rematch with the Bearcats. After the Norse took baker game one, McKendree would respond with games of 223 and 232 to advance to the championship game against third seed Missouri Baptist.  

At first, it was a back-and-forth affair; it was tied going into the final game. McKendree would roll a 226 game to defeat the Spartans and take home its first win of the season.   

The team now will travel to the Leatherneck Classic in Rockford, Illinois at Don Carter Lanes.  

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