09.16.22 - Teams
No. 1 Carolina Cowboys beat Arizona Ridge Riders to open Freedom Fest in Oklahoma City
The Cowboys out-rode the Ridge Riders, 177.25-86.75, in a battle between two of the league's top teams.
By Kacie Albert
Carolina Cowboys: 177.25 / Arizona Ridge Riders: 86.75
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Carolina Cowboys remained No. 1 in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Friday evening as league competition got underway in Oklahoma City for Freedom Fest, defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders 177.25-86.75.
The Ridge Riders rode in the lead-off position in the game, with Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) first out of the chutes inside the home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. In perfect time with Nature Boy (D&H Cattle Company), Souza reached the requisite 8 for 86.75 points to give the Ridge Riders an early lead. The Cowboys, however, were quick to respond. Tasked with Malaki (Jenkins Cattle Co./CIL Cattle), 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) improved to a perfect 4-0 in Team Series competition, conquering the bull for a game-best 89.5 points. Courtesy of the score, the Cowboys surged to a 2.5-point lead.
After a scoreless second and third, Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) was eager to reverse the tide for Arizona in the top of the fourth. Burn It Up (M Rafter E/Chad Berger Bucking Bulls) proved too hot to handle for Batista, sending the Brazilian to the ground in a hard-fought 7.05 seconds. In the bottom of the frame, the Cowboys added to their lead when Wingson Henrique da Silva (Navirai, Brazil) covered Juice (Jenkins Cattle Co./L&M Bucking Bulls) for 87.75 points.
As the fifth approached, the Cowboys led by 90.5 points, putting first-round draft pick Luciano de Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) in a must-ride position for Arizona. Matched up with Brusta (Joe & Nina Webb/Julian/D&H Cattle Co.), Castro could not rise to the occasion for his team, brought down in a quick 2.71 seconds. With the victory already clinched, reigning PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) was unable to conclude the game with a score, bucked off by Soul Train (Shuler Bucking Bulls) in 4.45 seconds.
The Cowboys’ 177.25-86.75 victory against the Ridge Riders improved them to 11-6 on the season, and they will look to continue their momentum on Saturday against the Kansas City Outlaws (7-10). The Arizona Ridge Riders, now 10-7 thus far in 2022, will look to rebound during their second game in the Sooner State when they play the Missouri Thunder (9-8).
Fans can relive the showdown between the Oklahoma Freedom and Austin Gamblers as the CBS Game of the Week from PBR Freedom Fest. CBS Television Network will air the game Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. ET.
PBR Freedom Fest continues Saturday, Sept. 17 at 6:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Paycom Center Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Oklahoma City. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.