HAMILTON, N.J. – The Sacred Heart University bowling team's quest for a third straight Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship came up just short on Sunday morning, as the second-seeded Pios fell to fourth-seeded Merrimack at the Hamilton Lanes in Hamilton, N.J.  

The red-hot Warriors took a 2-0 victory over the Pioneers, who have either won or finished second in 11 NEC Tournaments. Merrimack finished the weekend 4-0 after winning the play-in on Friday, matching SHU's championship run as the fourth seed last season. 

Sunday's action began with a very close traditional match, where Merrimack won by just six pins, 1,053-1,047. Both teams were clicking in the traditional portion as nine of the 10 bowlers tallied scores of 200+. 

Just one win away from their first conference title, the Warriors did not let off the gas in the Baker match. Merrimack claimed a 1,155-975 triumph to win the championship 2-0. 

The Pioneers return to the lanes on Wednesday, April 17, to take part in the four-day Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) Nationals at the Kingpin Lanes in Jeffersontown, K.Y.