STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – [Bracket] St. Francis (Ill.) fought its way back through the loser’s bracket to become the inaugural NAIA Men’s Bowling Champion after defeating Martin Methodist (Tenn.) on Saturday.

Martin Methodist (Tenn.) opened its season at No. 13 in the RPI ratings. The Red Hawks worked their way up the RPI ratings to as high as No. 6 before landing at No. 7 in the final RPI of the season. The team closed out its regular season and was selected by the selection committee as an at-large qualifier for the national championship.

St. Francis (Ill.) opened its season at No. 3 in the RPI rankings before moving up to No. 2 in the final two RPI rankings of the regular season. The Saints

The first day of the bowling championship the teams competed in baker play to decide rankings for placement in the bracket. After baker play, Martin Methodist (Tenn.) claimed the No. 3 spot with a total pinfall of 4994 through six baker sets. St. Francis (ll.) landed at No. 4 with a total pinfall of 4980.

Both teams had a bye to be able to open up match play in round 2 on the first day of match play in the bracket.

Martin Methodist (Tenn.) won both of its matches on Friday with a win over No. 6 Ottawa (Kan.) and an upset of No. 2 Pikeville (Ky.). Saturday the Red Hawks upset No. 1 Marian (Ind.) 3-2 to advance to the championship match.

The Saints route to the championship looked a little different with an 0-3 loss in round 2 to No. 5 Indiana Tech. The team then fought its way back through the loser’s bracket with wins over No. 10 Kansas Wesleyan and No. 2 Pikeville (Ky.) on Friday. Saturday morning the battle continued as the Saints captured wins over No. 6 Ottawa (Kan.) and then an upset over No. 1 Marian (Ind.) in straight sets to send St. Francis (Ill.) to the championship.

In the championship, the teams captured one set apiece before St. Francis (Ill.) went on a two-set run to send the championship to the if necessary match where they would have to defeat Martin Methodist (Tenn.) once more before claiming the title.

In the if necessary match the teams traded sets back and forth after Martin Methodist (Tenn.) captured the win in the first set. It came down to the fifth and final set when St. Francis (Ill.) would take a mark of 192 over the Red Hawks 167 to win the inaugural NAIA Men’s Championship.