CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — For the second time this season, the No. 15-ranked Lincoln Memorial University women's bowling team took down the No. 1 team in the country.
 
In the first half of the year, it was Vanderbilt. On Sunday, it was the No. 4-seeded Lady Railsplitters axing the nation's top team in No. 1-seeded McKendree University in the semifinals of the best-of-7 Championship bracket in the Saints Invite at Brunswick Zone Chesterfield Lanes.
 
LMU never backed down, shining bright in the big moment as the semis match went to a five-frame, sudden-death roll-off after a 3.5-3.5 tie (269-235, 208-208, 203-244, 200-171, 206-202, 220-180, 171-258). The first roll-off ended in an 84-84 tie, and then LMU sealed the win in the second five-frame, roll-off,118-110, as sophomore Christine Hansen had three strikes in the 10th frame to send the Lady Railsplitters to the championship round.
 
"Today was such an accomplishment for the team," LMU sophomore Justine Brookover said. "We fought back from struggling Friday to giving ourselves a chance on Saturday. Sunday, one word to describe the team was: fight. We fought our way to the championship match. I couldn't be more proud of these girls and our togetherness."
 
In the championship match, LMU took a 3-1 lead over No. 2 seeded and ranked Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers rallied back to hand the Lady Railsplitters a 3-4 loss (210-170, 223-180, 169-187, 244-182, 164-213, 165-238, 190-217).
 
LMU opened the day with a 1,014 victory in the lone remaining traditional game No. 6 to jump into the No. 4-seed position thanks to a masterful game from Marisol Dodson. The junior fired a 245 score, which catapulted her to fourth overall, and a place on the All-Tournament team. Her 224 average over six games awarded her the first such award for the original member of the bowling program. 
 
"This weekend was definitely one to remember," Dodson said. "There were some ups and downs, but over all an amazing feeling after today. Friday was not very good by me, but the team did amazing to catch up close to the top. Beating No. 1 McKendeee was by far the greatest feeling I have had. The final match was a little rocky for me individually, but it was okay we gave it a fight.
 
"After I found out I made fourth individual for the All-Tournament team, I have never been so shaken and happy at the same time. I will never forget this feeling and will always be proud of this weekend."
 
The Lady Railsplitters' second-place finish was their best finish yet this season after LMU compiled 13,720 pins in 69 games for a 198.80 average.
 
LMU will take a week off before heading to the Sunshine State Winter Classic in Orlando, Fla., Feb 8-10.   
 
"What a weekend! From 12th place in match No. 1 to earning a place in the championship finals," LMU Director of Bowling and Women's Head Coach Joseph Slowinski said. "[Sunday] was one of the best days in program history. We defeated the No. 1 team in the country in a double roll-off and took the most stored program in No. 2 Nebraska to game No. 7, 10th frame.  
 
"I could not be more proud of these amazing young women than I am now."