ERIE, Pa. – Niagara women's bowling opened the 2024-25 season at the Mercyhurst Invitational in Erie, Pa., winning all five traditional matches while Brianna Thurston was named MVP and Sydney Skimmer earned All-Tournament honors, finishing second on the individual leader board.
 
Game 1: Niagara 1067, Wright State 824
 
Niagara took its first game of the new season by 243 total pins. Thurston and Skimmer led the way with games of 253 and 242, respectively. Taylor Strickland posted a score of 200.
 
Game 2: Niagara 890, Penn State Behrend 772
 
The Purple Eagles once again were led by Thurston (198) and Skimmer (185) to take its second traditional match of the day over PSU-Behrend. Emily Brock also posted a 181 game to help NU to victory.
 
Game 3: Niagara 944, Daemen 856
 
Niagara defeated WNY-rival Daemen by 88 pins as three Purple Eagles posted scores over 190, led by Skimmer's 199 and games of 193 and 191 from Emily Brock and Taylor Strickland, respectively.
 
Game 4: Niagara 937, Pitt Bradford 801
 
NU made it four-straight wins to start the season with a 136-point win over Pitt Bradford. Thurston recorded a 224, her second of three 200-point games.
 
Game 5: Niagara 1036, Mount St. Mary's 934
 
Niagara took its final traditional match of the day over Mount St. Mary's, 1036-934, as four of the five Purple Eagles recorded 200-point games, led by a 242 from
Skimmer. Thurston, Paige Herndon and Brock also eclipsed 200 pins in the win.
 
Up Next
Niagara will conclude the Mercyhurst Invite on Sunday, Oct. 6.