HAMILTON, N.J. – With its back against the wall, the Sacred Heart University bowling team does what it does best in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship, it fought back as the Pioneers won twice on Saturday to advance to the finals on Sunday. 

SHU's last obstacle blocking them from a third straight league championship is fourth-seeded Merrimack, who is 3-0 this weekend after winning the play-in to open the event yesterday. Sunday's match is double-elimination, meaning if the Pios take the first contest, they will force a winner-take-all best-of-seven series. The Warriors just need to win in the morning to clinch the conference crown. 

The Pioneers have an extensive amount of experience at this stage, as they have won six NEC Championships and have appeared in 10 finals. On the other hand, Merrimack is making its first-ever finals showing. 

Sacred Heart's day started at 9 a.m. against top-seeded Duquesne. The Pioneers first handed the Dukes a 967-874 defeat in traditional play before clinching a 2-0 win with a 1,105-1,089 Baker victory. With Duquesne ahead 43 pins through the first two Baker games, SHU rallied quickly with an outstanding 276-213 win to take the lead and never look back. 

In its second elimination match of the day, the Pioneers had a chance to avenge yesterday's setback to third-seeded FDU. After the Knights took a well-played, hard-fought contest Friday, it was SHU's opportunity to outplay its rival. The Pios opened things with a high-scoring 1,101-1,069 triumph in traditional play. FDU was ready with an answer, taking the Baker match by 18 pins, 1,099-1,081. 

It all came down to a best-of-seven Baker series. The Pioneers struck first, hitting 200 in the first two games to earn 209-163 and 226-215 wins to go up 2-0. The Knights retaliated by taking the third, but Sacred Heart was undeterred. A 236-201 victory in the fourth game and an 182-150 triumph in the fifth sealed the Pios' spot in Championship Sunday. 

Sacred Heart will battle the red-hot Warriors tomorrow at 9 a.m.