Sterling Heights, Mich. - The Marian men's bowling team entered the final day of the NAIA National Championships with an undefeated 3-0 mark, but were unable to bring home the coveted red banner as the Knights fell twice to Lawrence Tech in the NAIA Championship game, taking home the National Runner-Up title. 

Marian's run at the 2023 NAIA National Championship is the deepest in program history, as their three wins set a single-tournament program record. 

The Knights began the day in the championship match following their 3-0 performance on Friday, awaiting the winner of the elimination bracket. Lawrence Tech earned their way through the backdraw, taking on the Knights for the title just shy of 24 hours after Marian sent the Blue Devils to the elimination bracket.

In game one, the Knights narrowly won 203-201, getting a spare and strike from Dylan Mollo in the 10th frame to seal the win. Lawrence Tech would go on to win game two in the series as the Blue Devils struck four consecutive strikes to open the contest. Marian fell behind 2-1 after game three, with Lawrence Tech scoring strikes in frames the Knights failed to successfully knock over all 10, winning 207-172. In the fourth game of the series, Marian got off to a strong start behind Adarius Reese and Nickolas Archacki bowling strikes. A string of five consecutive strikes fueled Marian to a game-four win, as they took it home 2330214.

The win forced game five in the series, and despite hanging with the Blue Devils through four frames, a series of strikes and spares by Lawrence Tech led to a 209-160 win, as the Marian loss forced the if-necessary championship matchup.

In the second series, the Knights blasted through game one, getting strikes in each of the first four frames of the game. Another series of four strikes aided Marian to a win, as they took game one 239-216. In the second game, The Knights matched Lawrence Tech nearly frame for frame, but came up short as five consecutive strikes helped the Blue Devils even the game score 1-1 with their 224-214 victory.

In game three Lawrence Tech won by a healthy margin, out-striking Marian 5-3 while completing each frame successfully, pulling ahead in the match with their 193-139 win. Needing a win to stay alive in the championship, Marian came up short in game four, as six consecutive strikes for the Blue Devils sealed the NAIA Championship, as Marian was defeated 236-215. 

Marian's team of Nickolas Archacki, Chad Burgess, Trevor Lawson, Dylan Mollo, Adarius Reese, Kyle Toyias, Matthew Watson, and Alex Wiles were honored as NAIA National Runner-Up following the game, as head coach Jordan Gray led the Knights to their highest honor in program history. 

In addition to their NAIA Runner-Up honor, the Knights close the year as Crossroads League Regular Season Champions.