April 6, 2024 Nolan Hughes

Anderson wins match for High Rollers in home city; Strikers stave off playoff elimination in roll-off

Round 12 of the PBA Elite League kicked off under the bright lights of Strobl Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The GoBowling Dallas Strikers defeated the Waco Wonders to increase their dwindling postseason hopes.

Both teams entered Round 12 with a 2-9 record, sitting last place and two games behind Lucky Strike L.A. X.

Despite Dallas’ record, the Strikers entered Round 12 boasting the third-best team average. Their opponents, however, average nearly 10 pins per game more than any other opponent average.

“You can take averages and throw them out,” Dallas manager Norm Duke said before the match. “This is about wins and losses. It’s do or die.”

On Saturday, the wins finally came for the Strikers. After losing Game 1, 220-180, Dallas rallied to win Game 2, 183-179, and the roll-off 27-23.

“We’re still in it!” Duke exclaimed as he walked off the lanes. 

The second match featured the top two teams in the PBA Elite League: Las Vegas and Portland.

Las Vegas won the opening game, 198-177, on the left lane, but found tough sledding on the right lane. Portland won Game 2, 237-150, to force a roll-off.

In the three-player, one-ball shootout roll-off, Kris Prather’s six-count put Portland in an early hole. Las Vegas’ anchor, Detroit native Andrew Anderson, stepped up with an opportunity to strike and clinch the match.

“I was just trying to enjoy it,” Anderson said. “You don't get this very often, not in this sport. It's just so hard to make TV shows, hard to win matches in the PBA League and I get a chance to do it in Detroit.”

“I'm gonna remember that one for a long time,” Anderson said.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The High Rollers take possession of the top overall seed and hold a 1.5-game cushion for a top-two seed and a bye.

Portland falls to 8-4, a half-game ahead of the Akron Atom Splitters and New Jersey KingPins, who both compete their Round 12 match Sunday at noon Eastern on FS1.

The KingPins face Lucky Strike L.A. X, who hold a 1.5-game lead over Dallas for the final postseason berth.

Akron will face the Motown Muscle. Both teams clinched a playoff berth with their Round 11 wins on April 3.

The PBA Elite League schedule is available here. 

More information on the PBA Elite League is available here.

Round 12 Results

Dallas def. Waco, 2-1 (180-220, 183-179, 27-23)
Las Vegas def. Portland, 2-1 (198-177, 150-237, 26-23)

Standings

Team, Record, Pinfall

x - Las Vegas High Rollers, 9-3, 5,108
x - Portland Lumberjacks, 8-4, 5,233
x - Akron Atom Splitters, 7-4, 4,648
x - New Jersey KingPins, 7-4, 4,610
x - Motown Muscle, 6-5, 4,729
Lucky Strike L.A. X, 4-7, 4,628
GoBowling Dallas Strikers, 3-9, 5,105
Waco Wonders, 2-10, 4,610