Thunder Stay Hot, Defeat Cowboys to Conclude Anaheim Action
By: Mandi McCary
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Propelled by the torrid riding of their No. 1 draft pick Jose Vitor Leme, the Austin Gamblers went an undefeated 2-0 inside the Honda Center to win the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Anaheim, California.
On Friday night, the Gamblers defeated the Nashville Stampede by one ride score, 175.25-86.75, and tonight they edged the Kansas City Outlaws, 171.50 – 171.25.
Leme, who contributed critical qualified rides both nights, is now 7-for-10 on the season and leads the league’s MVP race.
The Austin Gamblers (4-3) also overtook the Ridge Riders (4-3) for the No. 2 rank in the early 2022 PBR Team Series season standings, behind the No. 1 ranked Missouri Thunder (6-1).
The PBR Team Series will next travel to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Nashville Stampede’s homestand event on Friday, August 19 at 7:45 p.m. P.T., Saturday, August 20 at 6:45 p.m. P.T. and Sunday, August 21.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Anaheim. Fans can also tune in to a special doubleheader of the CBS Game of the Week on Sunday, August 14 at 1:30 pm ET (check local listings). Click here for the latest programming schedule.
Missouri Thunder: 247.75
Carolina Cowboys: 87.25
In the final game on Saturday night in Anaheim, the surging Missouri Thunder knocked down three rides to beat the Carolina Cowboys and further their hold on the No. 1 position in the 2022 Team standings.
Missouri’s fourth-round draft pick Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) began the game with his foot on the gas to make the 8 on Sriracha (Diamond Bar Cattle/ Hunter Aue) for 80.5 points.
Continuing the energy inside of the Honda Center, Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas) then sailed to a game-high score of 87.25 for the Carolina Cowboys.
After the scoreboard went unchanged in the second frame, early in the third, Clayton Sellars (Fruitland Park, Texas), the Thunder’s second-round pick, collected his first score of the weekend on Legit (Julie Rosen/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) for 84.75 points.
Carolina continued to falter, seeing buckoffs from their remaining three riders, including PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York).
As the second-to-last rider of the night, Missouri’s first-round draft pick Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) added to Missouri’s lead, securing 82.5 points aboard Ridin’ Dirty (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) to cement the Thunder’s (6-1) win over the Carolina Cowboys (3-4).
“This win feels great, I couldn’t be prouder of the guys,” said Co-Coach Luke Snyder. “They are all just rallying each other and the comradery that we have got going is just awesome to see. Last weekend I lost my voice, and I probably will again this weekend, but they are just doing so great. To win both games against such tough teams, just lights a fire under us going into the next one. We still have some work to do, and I am sure everyone is playing their top guy in the bonus round. We are putting Clayton in there after his great ride on that big scary rodeo bull, he is our man tonight.”
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
© 2022 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.