Austin Gamblers: 179.25 / Oklahoma Freedom: 91
RIDGEDALE, Mo. – On Saturday night of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Thunder Days, the Austin Gamblers earned a huge win against the No. 2 Oklahoma Freedom, courtesy of the fourth walk-off ride of the season by Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil), 179.25-91.
Looking for their second win of the weekend, and ninth in a row, the Freedom started off Saturday’s game with Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) aboard John 14:6 (Braswell Buckers) for a massive 91 points – the popular veteran rider’s third 90-point ride this season.
After a giant score delivered in the first out, the Gamblers looked to Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) to get points on the board, but he was unable to convert, bested by Jetliner (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) in 4.03 seconds.
Last week in Oklahoma City, Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) propelled his team to victory with a 91.25-point ride, and the young rider looked to continue the momentum tonight in Ridgedale. However, Madsen was pulled forward on Show-Off (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) and brought down in a swift 1.64 seconds.
After a scoreless second frame, Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) prepared to take on Homeboy (K-C Bucking Bulls/Joe & Nina Webb) for the Freedom.
Ending his buckoff streak at 8 during the first night of Thunder Days, he appeared to have registered a qualified ride but touched his bull rope just as the clock reached the 8. After careful inspection, it was ruled that Roberts touched the rope at 7.83 seconds, resulting in a no-score ride.
The Gamblers’ Austin Richardson (Dallas, Texas) was next out, launched off Bottom’s Up (TCB Ranch/K-C Bucking Bulls) in 3.76 seconds.
With the Freedom in the lead by one qualified ride, Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) attempted to widen the lead but was bucked off Omaha Beach (Ty Ronaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) in 4.03 seconds.
In the bottom of the fourth frame, recent Gamblers’ addition Ramon De Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) came bursting out of the chutes on The Show (Young Cattle Co.) and brought his team back in the game by putting 89 points on the board.
With one opportunity for each team remaining, Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) put up a valiant effort against American Gangster (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) but could not widen the lead.
As the last out of the game, two-time PBR World Champion Leme lit up the arena as he dominated Patches (Sho-Me Rodeo) for 90.25 points.
Leme led his team to victory in the last frame for the fourth time in 2022 as the Gamblers improved to 11-10 this season. The Austin Gamblers will look to continue their momentum Sunday when they play the No. 1 Carolina Cowboys (13-8).
The Oklahoma Freedom, who are now 12-9 in the season, will look to make a comeback when they play the Missouri Thunder (11-10).
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media