ADDISON, Ill. - The Lewis University men's bowling team advanced to match play for the first time in program history Sunday (Jan. 23) at the Storm Baker Challenge at Stardust Bowl, coming up four pins short in the deciding game of its quarterfinal match against top seed and eventual champion Calumet College of St. Joseph.

The tournament consisted of 24 baker games Saturday and 16 additional baker games Sunday before the tournament field was cut to the top eight teams for match play. The Flyers shot a 4,229 Saturday (176.2 average) and came back with a 2,950 Sunday (184.4) to earn the eighth seed with a 7,179 total. That put them up against top seed Calumet in the first round, which had shot an 8,701 in qualifying.

Lewis battled hard, taking the first game 209-148 before falling 224-187 in game two. The Flyers came back to win the third game 189-164 but Calumet won the fourth 222-130. In the fifth game the Flyers had four strikes in a row going into the ninth frame but an open ended the rally as they fell 201-197.

Calumet went on to beat Mount Mercy 3-1 and St. Xavier 3-0 to capture the title.

The Flyers travel to Fairview Heights, Ill. for the McKendree Baker Challenge at St. Clair Bowl Feb. 5-6.