Walsh Women Make Deep Semifinal Run, Thomas More Men Stage Epic Game 7 Comeback to Highlight Day 2 of Bowling Championships

3.21.26

NEWPORT, Ky. – Moving day at the 2026 Conference Carolinas/Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Bowling Championships delivered high drama and elimination bracket sweeps.

Women's Bracket: Walsh Makes Deep Run, Thomas More Sweeps

The G-MAC women made plenty of noise on Saturday, fighting tooth-and-nail through the bracket to prove their mettle against the tournament's top seeds.

The Walsh Cavaliers put together a spectacular Saturday campaign, ultimately surviving until the tournament's final three teams. After battling #2 seed Emmanuel in a grueling six-game series in the winner's bracket (falling 4-2), Walsh bounced back in the elimination bracket to defeat fellow G-MAC rival Thomas More with a decisive 4-1 victory. The Cavaliers advanced all the way to the tournament semifinals (Match 9), where they fought hard but ultimately bowed out to #1 seed Belmont Abbey in five games.

The Thomas More Saints also delivered one of the most dominant performances of the morning. Facing elimination in Match 4, the Saints left absolutely no doubt, delivering a commanding 4-0 sweep over #6 Barton (139-96, 142-130, 140-80, 125-118) to keep their tournament hopes alive before ultimately falling to Walsh later in the afternoon.

  • Match 4 (Elimination): #5 Thomas More def. #6 Barton, 4-0

  • Match 5: #1 Belmont Abbey def. #3 Ursuline, 4-0

  • Match 6: #2 Emmanuel def. #4 Walsh, 4-2

  • Match 7 (Elimination): #4 Walsh def. #5 Thomas More, 4-1

  • Match 9 (Semifinal): #1 Belmont Abbey def. #4 Walsh, 4-1

Men's Bracket: Thomas More Completes Epic Comeback

The highlight of the men's tournament on Saturday was an all-G-MAC elimination showdown that will be remembered for years to come.

In Match 4, the Thomas More Saints and the Walsh Cavaliers squared off with their tournament lives on the line. Walsh stormed out of the gates, taking games one, three, and four to build a daunting 3-1 series lead. With their backs against the wall, Thomas More caught fire. The Saints rattled off a 204-180 win in game five, followed by a clutch 180-167 victory in game six to force a decisive Game 7. In a nail-biting finale, Thomas More edged out Walsh by just three pins (179-176) to complete the miraculous 4-3 comeback victory.

Thomas More advanced to face Barton in Match 5, where the Saints battled fiercely but ultimately fell 4-2 to conclude their impressive tournament run.

  • Match 4 (Elimination): #3 Thomas More def. #4 Walsh, 4-3

  • Match 5 (Elimination): #5 Barton def. #3 Thomas More, 4-2

Looking Ahead to Championship Sunday

The stage is now set for Sunday's Mega-Match Championships. In both the men's and women's brackets, #1 Belmont Abbey will square off against #2 Emmanuel for the 2026 title.

For final results and All-Tournament Team announcements following Sunday's Mega-Matches, please visit greatmidwestsports.com.