Oklahoma Freedom: 359.5 / Missouri Thunder: 88.75 / Kansas City Outlaws: 0
LAS VEGAS – In a must-ride situation in the first-ever Last Chance Game in the PBR Team Series, the Oklahoma Freedom exploded for four qualified rides, going a commanding 4-for-5 to defeat the Missouri Thunder, which put up only one ride, and the scoreless Kansas City Outlaws and advance to Round 2 of the league’s inaugural Championship event on Saturday, November 5.
In the opening frame, the Missouri Thunder struck in the very first out as Adriano Salgado (Batatis, Brazil) became the first rider in 20 attempts in PBR competition to cover Brusta (Joe & Nina Webb/Julian/D&H Cattle Co.), marked 88.75 points. While the Kansas City Outlaws were unsuccessful, the Oklahoma Freedom asserted their dominance early, with Trevor Kastner (Ardmore, Oklahoma) logging the first 90-point ride of the tournament, scored 91.5 points on Alakazam (D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle/Tommy Julian). After the first, the Freedom led by a mere 2.75 points.
In the second, the Missouri Thunder and Kansas City Outlaws were blanked in the first two outs. The Freedom, however, continued to roll, delivering their second consecutive 90-point ride when Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) rode Fearful (LeFlore Bucking Bulls) for a mammoth 91.25 points. The score was the first in six attempts atop the powerful bovine athlete. As the unique three-way game approached the midpoint, the Freedom held an expanded 94-point lead.
Keen to rebound, neither the Thunder nor Outlaws could reverse their fortunes in the third as Alvaro Alvarez Aguilar (La Punta Lagos Moreno Jal, Mexico) and Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri), respectively, were upended before the 8. In the bottom of the frame, the Freedom’s momentum continued to roll as Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) rode Uncle Gangster (Pick-It Hammers) for 87.25 points. Not only did the score increase Oklahoma’s lead to 181.25 points ahead of Missouri, but it also eliminated the Kansas City Outlaws from playoff contention, putting them three scores behind with only two riders remaining.
Down by two scores, the Thunder were in a must-ride position in the fourth. In the crucial out, first-round draft pick Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) was tasked with Malaki (Jenkins Cattle Co./CIL Cattle). While Fritzlan was initially deemed to have reached the 8, after official review, he was determined to have lost contact with the rope at a heartbreaking 7.92 seconds, cementing the victory for Oklahoma. With the win in hand, the Freedom concluded the game having gone a torrid 4-for-5 as first-round draft pick Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) conquered Homer (JR Phillips) for 89.5 points.
When the dust settled, the Freedom won the Last Chance Game 359.5-88.75-0 against the Thunder and Outlaws, who are now eliminated from the PBR Team Series Championship. The Oklahoma Freedom will continue their quest for the title of PBR Team Series Champion on Saturday, November 5, when they play the No. 4 Carolina Cowboys.
When competition continues on Saturday, November 8, the following teams will face off:
No. 1 Austin Gamblers vs. No. 8 Nashville Stampede
No. 2 Texas Rattlers vs. No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders
No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom vs. No. 4 Carolina Cowboys
Last Chance Game (Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser vs. Game 3 Loser)
The 2022 PBR Team Series Championship continues Saturday, November 5, at 7:45 p.m. PT.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Las Vegas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.
