LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Milligan University's men's bowling team took part in the USBC ITC Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. this week and were able to post a standout third-place result in their first ever trip to the event as a program. 

Milligan came in as the No. 5 seed after the qualifying pertion of the event, and would play 12th-seeded Trine in their first bracket match. Milligan took home a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series to move into round two.

The squad then faced off with Webber International, an NAIA powerhouse. The Buffaloes disposed of them rather simply by the same 4-2 tally that they beat Trine by in the opening round.

That win pushed them all the way through to round five, where they battled with Wisconsin-Whitewater, who they took down to the very end in a 4-3 loss. That match went the distance and pushed MU down to the loser's bracket.

The Buffaloes played Trine again, and pushed through them in a seven-game 4-3 triumph. That win would set the Buffs up needing to win a pair of best-of-seven series against Wisconsin-Whitewater.

It looked as if the Buffs may have the massive upset win in them, as they stormed to a 4-3 win in the first matchup. Then, in the do-or-die contest, it was a 2-2 tie before two straight wins were tallied by Wisconsin-Whitewater to clinch their trip to the title match over the Buffaloes.

As part of the week, Alex Evans was named as a member of the NCBCA All-American Honorable Mention squad, as the Buffs had a historic performance in Las Vegas in their first ever trip to the USBC ITC Championships.

It was a banner season for the Buffs, who had their highest ever national finish, as well as their first ever trip to the USBC ITC Championships. Milligan bowling continues to ride an upward trajectory as we look forward to what is in store in 2025-26.