LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky rifle team overcame a slow start on Friday to post a solid score, but couldn?t overcome Alaska-Fairbanks as it fell 4703-4657 in the first match of a two-match series this weekend.

In a rare occasion, the two teams shot air rifle first and the Nanooks built a big 2364-2317 lead. Junior Amy Sowash was one of only two Wildcats to crack the 580 plateau with a team-best 587 while three UAF shooters fired better than 590.

However, Kentucky rebounded in a big way in smallbore by shooting their second best score of the season. Dardas? 588 led the way as all four UK shooters fired in the 580?s en route to a 2340 team score.

Dardas tied Jamie Beyerle and Matt Rawlings for the individual air rifle title. The two teams square off again on Saturday.

Following the match they will meet in an Bundesliga-style exhibition. In the exhibition, each team will choose five shooters to face off head-to-head and the winner of each individual match will win a point for his/her team.

The individual matches will feature the competing shooters firing five 10-shot rounds. Whichever shooter wins three of the five rounds claims the point for his/her team.