GASTONIA, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey defeated league rival Emmanuel twice -- the latter in an elimination game after losing the winner's bracket final -- to earn a spot in the Conference Conference/Great Midwest Conference Men's Bowling Championship.

The Crusaders will face top-seeded Kentucky Wesleyan at 10 a.m. tomorrow in a Mega-Match (two out of three - traditional, five Baker total pinfall and standard Baker match), followed by an additional standard Baker match if necessary. The Abbey will need to win both to repeat as tournament champions.

The Crusaders started a busy day with a 4-3 win over Emmanuel in the day's opening match. They trailed 3-2 after five games, but finished with games of 235 and 233 to earn the win. The winner's bracket final was all Panthers as they opened a 3-0 lead en route to the 4-1 win, sending BAC into the loser's bracket.

The Abbey and Lions split the first two matches of the day's final match, but the Crusaders won three straight games to advance and capture the Conference Carolinas portion of the joint championship.

WINNER'S BRACKET MATCH (Belmont Abbey wins 4-3)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
No. 3 Belmont Abbey	180	183	234	201	189	235	233
No. 2 Emmanuel	246	171	230	215	234	190	199

WINNER'S BRACKET FINAL (Kentucky Wesleyan wins 4-1)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5
No. 3 Belmont Abbey	190	166	208	246	191
No. 1 Kentucky Wesleyan	220	225	236	191	198

LOSER'S BRACKET FINAL (Belmont Abbey wins 4-1)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5
No. 3 Belmont Abbey	180	148	186	225	202
No. 2 Emmanuel	171	203	161	193	185