BOWLING GREEN, Ky.--Cumberland was pushed to the limit but delivered when it mattered most, defeating Pikeville in a winner-take-all seventh game to capture its second Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship and clinch a berth in the 2026 NAIA National Championship.

The Phoenix advanced to the finals after sweeping all four of their matches earlier in the tournament, giving Cumberland two opportunities to secure the conference title. Their championship opponent was determined by a matchup between No. 3 Pikeville and No. 7 Shawnee State, with the Bears sweeping Shawnee State to earn a spot in the finals.

Pikeville forced a decisive match by sweeping Cumberland in the opening contest, winning the first set 1175-1093 and the second 1157-1012, sending the championship to a best-of-seven baker series.

From the opening frame, lane play proved to be a key factor. Cumberland took game one 259-215, taking advantage of the left lane, before Pikeville responded with a 221-197 win in game two. The Phoenix regained momentum in game three, finding their striking rhythm in a 235-173 victory, but Pikeville countered once again in game four, using the left lane to post a 244-214 win and even the series at 2-2.

With the championship tied, the match turned into a best-of-three. Cumberland surged ahead in game five with a 246-221 win, putting the Bears in an elimination scenario. Game six proved to be the tightest contest of the series, coming down to the final frame as Pikeville narrowly edged the Phoenix, 214-213, to force a winner-take-all game seven.

Cumberland left no doubt in the final game, dominating from start to finish with a 230-165 victory to secure the Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship.

With this win, as well as the regular season conference championship, this is the first time Cumberland Men's Bowling has won both the regular season and tournament conference championships in the same season.

The championship also punches Cumberland's ticket to the 2026 NAIA National Championship, marking the program's second consecutive appearance after earning an at-large berth last season. The national tournament will be held March 19-21 at Royal Scot Lanes in Lansing, Michigan.

Cumberland returns to action next week as it travels to Indianapolis to compete in the Hoosier Classic.