Lovely gets by Cucculelli twice to go undefeated on MissCues Tour stop

Liz Lovely

Liz Lovely defeated WPBA touring veteran Teruko Cucculelli twice to capture the July 14-15 stop on the MissCues Regional Ladies 9-Ball Tour. The $500-added event drew 16 entrants to 8-Ball Sports Bar & Billiards in Columbus, OH. 

They met first in the battle for the hot seat. Cucculelli had sent Buffy Jolie (presently ranked # 2 on the tour) west 7-2, as Lovely delivered Casey Clark to the loss bracket 7-1. Lovely and Cucculelli got to double hill in the battle for the hot seat before Lovely prevailed.

On the loss side, Jolie picked up Linda Brandeberry, who'd defeated Sandy Day and Stephanie Goens, both 7-5. Clark drew Jen Polik, who was in the midst of a four-match, loss-side winning streak that had begun when Cucculelli had sent her over in the second round. Polik defeated Tracy Cantrell 7-2, and Reni Rose 7-4 to meet Clark. Polik shut Clark out and in the quarterfinals, met up with Jolie, who'd ended Brandeberry's day 7-4.

Polik and Jolie battled to double hill in those quarterfinals, before Polik snapped the 9-ball in on the final break to win it. She didn't get nearly as close in her semifinal re-match against Cucculelli, who'd advance back for a second chance against Lovely with a 7-3 win. 

The wait for the re-match did not apparently affect Lovely. She gave up only three racks to complete her undefeated weekend. 

Tour director Becky Todd thanked Richard Whaley, owner of 8-Ball Sports Bar & Billiards, and Rack 66's Bryan Roberts for sponsorship of the event.