Austin Gamblers: 263.25 / Missouri Thunder: 254.5

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Making a run at the No. 1 seed for the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship, the No. 4 Austin Gamblers outlasted the Missouri Thunder, 263.25-254.5, in their opening game at the final PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series regular-season event in Glendale, Arizona.

Leading off for the Gamblers, newly signed Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas), who recorded two 90-point rides last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, again put points on the board following the blockbuster trade bringing the 2019 Rookie of the Year to Austin. Kasel conquered Apple Butter (Back Yard Bucking Bulls) for 87.5 points and another fast Gamblers start.

Firing back was Missouri’s Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) aboard Budakon (Hale Bucking Bulls). Thunder head coach Ross Coleman erupted on the back of the chutes as the clock ticked down and Salgado netted 82.75 points.

As the second frame got underway, the Gamblers sat 4.75 points ahead of Missouri. Lucas Divino’s (Nova Crixas, Brazil) 88-point ride aboard South Paw (Triplett Bucking Bulls) increased that lead and put Austin one bull ahead. Next out, Missouri’s Luke Parkinson (Denman, New South Wales, Australia) got Missouri closer as he converted for 84 points aboard Filthy Wish (Culp Bucking Bulls), leaving Missouri 8.75 points behind.

After a scoreless top of the third frame for the Gamblers, Alvaro Alvarez Aguilar (La Punta Lagos Moreno, Mexico) answered for the Thunder, collecting 87.75 points aboard Dagger (Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) to put Missouri into the lead, 254.5-175.5.  

After scoreless third and fourth frames, Gamblers first-round draft pick, two-time PBR World Champion and current leader of the 2022 MVP race, Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) had the chance to once again knock down a crucial late-game ride to win a game. Leme was again clutch, making a high-pressure ride look like a Sunday walk in the park. Aboard Bad Decisions (Hale Cattle Co), Leme was perfectly centered and in control, scoring 87.5 points on the big bull to put the Gamblers back into the lead, 263.25-254.5.

Down to the wire in the bottom of the fifth in a must-ride situation, Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) had the weight of the win on his shoulders for Missouri. When the determined Texan came down after 7.25 seconds, the Gamblers had outlasted the Thunder to go 14-12 on the season.

The Gamblers will seek their second game victory at PBR’s Ridge Rider Days on Saturday, Oct. 15 when they face off with the Kansas City Outlaws (0-1 | 12-14-0). The Missouri Thunder are now 13-13 on the season and will look to rebound during the second round of games when they play the Carolina Cowboys (0-1 | 14-12).

PBR’s Ridge Rider Days continues Saturday, October 14 at 6:45 p.m. MST. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) 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 Glendale. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.