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Championship matchup set as Team Pendleton Whisky prepares to square up with Team Cooper Tires

Team Ariat finishes Monster Energy Team Challenge in 3rd
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Posted at 10:04 AM, Jul 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-12 12:45:58-04

SCORE BULLETIN – PLAYOFF NIGHT TWO

Team Cooper Tires Rolls into Championship Sunday of New PBR Team Tournament

Team Cooper Tires: 344.75 points
Team Ariat: 89 points

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem rode out Old Glory to lead the opening ceremonies inside Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, and night two of the first major professional sport to host fans in North America since mid-March began with a bang. Playoff Night Two of the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge started with fireworks for Team Cooper Tires. Led by a perfect 2-for-2 overall performance from Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Springs, Utah), Team Cooper Tires put up 257 points – the highest score in a first half of PBR’s groundbreaking team tournament. The record-setting first half was highlighted by Built Ford Tough MVP leader Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) besting Little Joe (JD Nix Rodeo Co.) for 86.5 points. Whitehorse added 84.25 points in the first half after reaching the 8-second whistle on Walkin Tall (JD Nix Rodeo Co.), and Sage Kimzey (Strong City, Oklahoma) heard the whistle on Livin Lucky (JD Nix Rodeo Co.) for 86.25 points. In the second half, Whitehorse added 87.75 points on Melanie’s Dream to cap things off for Team Cooper Tires. Team Ariat Captain Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) refused to be shut out in the second half, gritting it out for 89 points – the highest-marked ride during the Monster Energy Team Challenge Playoffs – aboard Crazy Doc (Paradigm Bull Company). Team Cooper Tires (7-0) continues its undefeated march to Championship Sunday, riding for the Monster Energy Team Challenge Championship at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday live on CBS. Team Ariat (5-2-1) went on to play in a consolation game for third place in the Monster Energy Team Challenge.

“I chose these guys for a reason,” said Team Cooper Tires Captain Jose Vitor Leme. “I know they can make a difference in this competition. I’m proud to be a member of this team.”

“I think momentum is a big part of this game,” Team Cooper Tires rider Sage Kimzey mentioned. “I loved being first out tonight. Coming out of Vegas we were on a hot streak, and it’s exciting that we have kept this going.”

“I feel great being able to contribute to the team,” said Keyshawn Whitehorse after his 2-for-2 performance. “Iron sharpens iron, and it feels great to be able to have these guys on my back.”

Team Pendleton Whisky Escapes a Nail-Biter to Move to Championship Sunday

Team Pendleton Whisky: 174.75 points
Team Las Vegas: 89.5 points

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – It came down to the final ride in Game Two of Playoff Night Two inside Denny Sanford PREMIER Center for Team Pendleton Whisky to move on to Championship Sunday. Team Las Vegas’ valiant effort started with Chase Dougherty (Canby, Oregon) cashing in aboard Heartbreak Kid (D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle/Erwin Cattle) for 89.5 points in the first half. But Division B No. 1 seed Team Pendleton Whisky proved its regular season wasn’t a fluke with back-to-back rides to close out the first half. Team captain Marco Eguchi (Poa, Brazil) bested Charlie Brown (Flying V Bucking Bulls) for 87.25 points after Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas Goias, Brazil) went for 87.5 points on Smoke Signals (Flying V Bucking Bulls). Those two scores would be enough to move Team Pendleton Whisky to Championship Sunday, but not without drama. Team Las Vegas’ Garrett Smith (Rexburg, Idaho) had a re-ride opportunity aboard Rising Sun (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Heald Pro Bulls), needing 85.25 points for the walk-off win. But Rising Sun prevailed in 4.98 seconds, locking in the win for Team Pendleton Whisky. Team Las Vegas (4-3-1) now rides in a consolation game against Team Ariat for third place, while Team Pendleton Whisky (6-1) matches up with Team Cooper Tires (7-0) for the Monster Energy Team Championship Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET live on CBS.

“Since the first bull we were fighting, even if it hurt,” said Team Pendleton Whisky Team Captain Marco Eguchi. “With our great fans we have here it’s just better to ride. I’d like to ask everyone to pray for our great friend and rider Fabiano Vieira. He’s banged up right now and need those prayers.”

“I’d like to thank everyone for being here,” said Team Pendleton’s Lucas Divino. “I feel bad for the fans because I bucked off of my second bull. But I’d like to thank everyone for being here. We really do ride better with our fans here and everyone around us.”

Team Ariat Finishes Third in PBR’s Groundbreaking Team Tournament

Team Ariat: 0 points
Team Las Vegas: 0 points

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Concluding Playoff Night Two inside Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Team Ariat and Team Las Vegas locked horns in a match for third place. Team Ariat, led by captain and 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas), earned the third-place payday of $21,000 despite not making it to the 8-second whistle in the consolation game, because of its 5-2-1 record coming into the game. Team Ariat finishes the Monster Energy Team Challenge with a record of 5-2-2. The 0-0 tie was the second tie of the tournament for Team Las Vegas, which finishes with a record of 4-3-2 and in fourth place from the original 12 teams.

BUILT FORD TOUGH MVP STANDINGS

Here are the standings for the Built Ford Tough MVP race for the 2020 PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol after Playoff Night Two:

1. Jose Vitor Leme, 10-for-14, 866 points
2. Cooper Davis, 7-for-17, 603.5 points
3. Mauricio Moreira, 6-for-14, 519.5 points
4. Marco Eguchi, 6-for-11, 519.25 points
5. Daylon Swearingen, 5-for-15, 479 points
6. Roscoe Jarboe, 5-for-12, 434.75 points
7. Ky Hamilton, 5-for-17, 431 points
8. Lucas Divino, 5-for-11, 417 points
9. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 5-for-7, 413.25 points
10. Shane Proctor, 4-for-10, 349.25 points
11. Derek Kolbaba, 4-for-12, 347.5 points
12. Colten Jesse, 4-for-12, 347 points
13. Sage Kimzey, 4-for-12, 340.75 points
14. Ryan Dirteater, 4-for-9, 335.5 points
15. Stetson Wright, 3-for-16, 261.75 points
T16. Mason Taylor, 3-for-9, 260 points
T16. Stetson Lawrence, 3-for-10, 260 points
T16. Chase Dougherty, 3-for-12, 260 points
19. Luciano de Castro, 3-for-11, 258 points
20. Andrew Alvidrez, 3-for-7, 256.75

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY MATCHUPS

Here is the matchup for Championship Sunday on July 12, for the final game of the 2020 PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol:

Team Cooper Tires vs. Team Pendleton Whisky

Championship Sunday of the 2020 PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by U.S. Border Patrol, gets underway Sunday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports.