Wichita State senior Jesse Buss said momentum was a key ingredient to success at the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm.

The Shockers followed Buss' lead in rolling to a 2-0 victory in the best-of-3, single-elimination match over UNLV on Saturday at Northrock Lanes for a record eighth national title and first since 2003.

They also were named 2007-08 Bowling Writers Association of America Collegiate Players of the Year at Wednesday's event.

"It feels extra special winning it here," Wichita State head coach Gordon Vadakin said. "We've got avid bowling fans here in Wichita, so it's cool for them. I feel thrilled for our team, thrilled for our fans ... it's awesome."

Wichita State, ranked No. 2 in the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Top 20, trailed only briefly early on against the Rebels. Junior George Lambert, Buss and junior Will Barnes rattled off consecutive strikes in the middle of Game 1 en route to a 202-171 victory.

A double from Barnes and Buss in the middle of Game 2 helped the Shockers distance themselves for a 203-169 title-clinching victory.

Pikeville senior Kayla Bandy, the two-time reigning National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Most Valuable Player, and her Bears teammates defeated hometown Wichita State, 2-0, in the best-of-3, single-elimination women's title match Saturday.

The Bears, ranked No. 2 in the NCBCA Top 20, denied top-ranked Wichita State of a repeat national championship, and a dual national title for the school. Wichita State's men defeated UNLV, 2-0, earlier in the day to win the men's title.

They did so by taking advantage of a crucial Wichita State miscue near the end of Game 1.

Wichita State sophomore Sandra Gongora fouled in the eighth frame while working on a spare. Pikeville junior Jennifer Wright, who was a part of Wichita State's 2005 championship team before transferring, capitalized with a strike in the ninth on the way to a 184-171 victory.

Strikes by Bandy, sophomore Sarah Germano, Wright and Galante in four of the first five frames got Pikeville off to a hot start in a 183-158 championship-clinching victory in Game 2.

Pikeville freshman Ashly Galante, the 2007-08 NCBCA Rookie of the Year, was named the women's Most Valuable Player.

Joining Galante on the women's All-Tournament Team was Morehead State senior Amy Corbin, Lindenwood freshman Laura Fonnegra, Wichita State sophomore Rocio Restrepo and Wichita State senior Emily Maier.

Saginaw Valley State junior Dan MacLelland was named Most Valuable Player in the men's division for the second straight year. Joining MacLelland on the men's All-Tournament Team was Wisconsin-Whitewater junior Jon Schalow, UNLV freshman Brandon Allred, Purdue senior Collin Kerschner and Wichita State junior George Lambert.

The championship matches will air nationally on CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV) at a later date.

2008 USBC INTERCOLLEGIATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
presented by Storm
(at Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan.)
Saturday's Results

MEN

Semifinals
(Best-of-7, double-elimination match play)
(5) UNLV def. (8) Purdue, 4-2 (Purdue eliminated)
(225-232, 200-206, 191-132, 241-213, 178-156, 227-210)
(2) Wichita State def. (3) Saginaw Valley State, 4-3
(205-235, 185-224, 225-202, 277-216, 200-181, 222-235, 225-201)
(2) Wichita State def. (3) Saginaw Valley State, 4-1 (Saginaw Valley State eliminated)
(229-162, 223-171, 234-211, 260-267, 203-202)

Championship
(Best-of-3, single-elimination)
(2) Wichita State def. (5) UNLV
(202-171, 203-169)

WOMEN

Semifinals
(Best-of-7, double-elimination match play)
(1) Wichita State def. (4) Morehead State, 4-0 (Morehead State eliminated)
(234-201, 188-185, 195-168, 228-160)
(3) Pikeville def. (7) Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4.5-3.5 (Maryland-Eastern Shore eliminated)
(183-187, 156-190, 212-180, 223-159, 203-203, 137-212, 280-172, 214-177)

Championship
(Best-of-3, single-elimination)
(3) Pikeville def. (1) Wichita State, 2-0
(184-171, 183-158)