Sterling Heights, Mich. - The Marian women's bowling team competed in their first-ever NAIA National Championship on Thursday, opening the day with baker play before playing their first bracket game of the week. 

Marian opened the morning with bracket play, and had a strong start to their morning thanks to their second-set score of 828. Marian's second set would be their best score of the day in baker play, as they finished with a total of 4614 pins, slotting into ninth in qualifying. 

The Knights' qualification placement slotted them against eighth-seeded and Crossroads League rival Spring Arbor in Round One of the NAIA Championships. The Cougars would coast through the first three games against the Knights in the best-of-seven series, winning by more than 25 pins in each game. The Knights settled in in the fourth game and earned a 185-176 win to stay alive, but Marian was unable to rally, falling in the fifth set 234-204, dropping to the consolation bracket.

Marian's loss drops them to the consolation bracket, where they will play the loser of second-seed Mount Mercy and seventh-seed Pikeville. The third round of the NAIA Championship is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

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