Cumberland Men's Bowling Falls in NAIA Opener to Marian

3/19/2026 11:18:25 PM

LANSING, Mich. -- No. 11-seed Cumberland (Tenn.) fell to sixth-seeded Marian (Ind.) today in the winner's bracket of the NAIA Men's Bowling National Championship at Royal Scot.

The Phoenix fall into the consolation bracket and face No. 7-seed St. Francis (Ill.) at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday.

The national tournament uses the Mega Match format in the Winner's Bracket. The Mega Match consists of a best two out of three sets.

-        The first set is the total number of pins from five bowlers in a traditional game.

-        The second set is the total pinfall in five Baker team games

-        The third set, if necessary, is a best-of-seven Baker match.

Marian grabbed a 1-0 lead after the first set, knocking down 1,100 pins compared to Cumberland's 918.

Marian secured the win in the second set in a tight set. Trailing 466-430, Cumberland dominated the third game of the set to take a 685-629 lead entering the fourth Baker game. Marian pulled back into the lead after the fourth game and held on to a 1,067-1,060 win.

Tomorrow's consolation bracket matches feature a best-of-seven Baker match.

The Cumberland-St. Francis winner faces the winner No. 3-seed SCAD-Savannah (Ga.) and No. 10-seed Saint Xavier (Ill.).