NEWPORT, Ky. -- Top-seeded Belmont Abbey rallied from a 3-0 deficit to No. 2 Emmanuel to win the best-of-seven match 4-3 at 2025 Conference Carolinas/Great Midwest Men's Bowling Championship Saturday morning. The win puts the Crusaders in their third straight championship round, with them standing as two-time defending champion.

The Abbey started slow on Saturday morning, dropping the first three games of Baker play. After a narrow win in the fourth, it posted solid wins in games 5 and 6 to force the decider. The teams entered the 10th frame of Game 7 with Emmanuel's anchor needing three strikes to have a chance to win. He threw the first one in the 10th but Belmont Abbey's anchor, freshman Braiden Meyers, responded with a strike. The Lions only knocked down nine on the second ball, sealing the win.

The Crusaders will face No. 3 Thomas More in the final at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The teams will start with a Mega-Match consisting of traditional, Baker total and Baker best-of-seven components. A second Baker match would be necessary if Thomas More wins the first.


WINNERS BRACKET FINAL (Best-of-Seven/Belmont Abbey wins 4-3)
 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
No. 2 Emmanuel	158	192	228	205	181	157	164
No. 1 Belmont Abbey	143	165	205	223	238	213	180