Bracket
Day 2 Scores
JONESBORO, Ark. – Day two of the Southland Bowling League championship saw the completion of both the advancers bracket and elimination bracket as top seed Arkansas State advanced to their second-straight Southland championship match. The Red Wolves will aim to defend their 2016 tournament title on Sunday against Vanderbilt.
Elimination Bracket – Second Round
No. 2 Sam Houston State vs. No. 4 Stephen F. Austin
The in-state rivalry produced a high-scoring affair as the Ladyjacks outlasted the Bearkats in the opening traditional game 986-952. Sam Houston closed the gap as the teams entered the 10
th frame, but a closed game and five-straight strikes between the fifth and ninth frames from SFA anchor Stephanie Schwartz (238) pushed the Ladyjacks to the victory. Megan Eaglehouse also broke 200 for Stephen F. Austin (202). Sam Houston State was led by Janine Kuwahara (214) and Lynne Fishler (207).
Stephen F. Austin turned things around in the baker total pinfall series, and despite a 253 in game three from the Bearkats, the Ladyjacks closed with three-straight 200-plus games (213, 203, 209) to pull even and force a best-of-seven baker series.
SFA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven and edged ahead to 3-0 after a 215-213 win in game three. The Bearkats had an opportunity to make it 2-1, but a missed single-pin spare in the 10
th by Kuwahara ensured a comfortable lead for Sam Houston State heading to the decisive game four. Despite two open frames, the Ladyjacks took a 196-176 win to sweep the Bearkats and advance to the afternoon’s elimination bracket third round.
No. 5 Tulane vs. No. 6 Monmouth
Tulane continued their impressive run through tight matches as they narrowly edged the Monmouth Hawks in the traditional game to open their elimination match-up. The Green Wave held an 824-817 advantage heading into the final frame, which was closed to a one-point deficit by the time they reached the anchors. A first-ball nine and missed single-pin spare from Hawks anchor Kaitlyn Reth opened the door for Tulane to take a 924-909 win. Green Wave anchor Tiera Gulum notched two strikes in her 10
th frame to carry the Green Wave to victory.
The baker total pinfall series saw another close scoreline as the Hawks pulled even with a 940-912 win. Tulane was consistent but failed to break 200 through their five games while Monmouth’s 203 and 218 was enough to ensure a best-of-seven baker series to decide who would advance.
The two teams exchanged wins to open the best-of-seven series before Tulane pushed ahead to a 3-1 lead entering game five. The Hawks pulled within one to make it a 3-2 series, but two open frames from Monmouth in game six were too much to overcome as Tulane would win by 21 and advance 4-2 to the elimination bracket third round against Stephen F. Austin.
Advancers Bracket – Semifinal
No. 1 Arkansas State vs. No. 3 Vanderbilt
The winners bracket semifinal clash between two Southland heavyweights began tightly contested in the traditional match, but Arkansas State comfortably pulled away as the frames wore on. Vanderbilt was unable to maintain their consistency and the Red Wolves finished with four of their five bowlers breaking 200 for a tournament-best 1,072 team score. Jordan Richard (236) and Jadee Scott-Jones (223) led the way for the top seed while Nicole Mikaelian (217) and Brooke Wood (208) also broke the 200 mark. The Commodores were led by Kristin Quah (221) and Katie Stark (200).
The Red Wolves did not stop in the baker total pinfall series, building a 734-623 lead as they entered the fifth and final game, finishing the Commodores off with a 212-158 score in game five for a 946-781 final. Vanderbilt struggled, failing to score higher than 171 in their five games. With this result, Arkansas State secured their spot in the Southland championship match for the second-straight year.
Elimination Bracket – Third Round
No. 4 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 6 Tulane
Tulane got off to a solid start, trailing only by 10 after three frames played. The Ladyjacks never ran away with it, but held a 784-749 cushion heading into the last frame. It was SFA who held fast, as three scores in the 180s and a 215 from Carly Larson carried SFA to a 903-931 victory. Michelle Ng rolled a 223 for the Green Wave but the team was held back with no other bowler breaking 170 in the traditional match.
The Ladyjacks did not make it easy on themselves in the baker total pinfall games, opening the door for a possible Tulane win after posting a disappointing 133 in game four. Heading into the final game, SFA held a thin 713-699 advantage. While Tulane only fell in game five by one pin (184-183), and could have won with two strikes and a seven in the 10
th frame, SFA were victors by a narrow 897-882 score. This is the first year that the Green Wave has advanced past the first round of the elimination bracket.
Elimination Bracket – Fourth Round
No. 3 Vanderbilt vs. No. 4 Stephen F. Austin
In the final match of the day to decide who would advance to face top seed Arkansas State in the championship match, it was Vanderbilt who came out on top. The Commodores left the Ladyjacks with a mountain to climb at the start, moving out to an 813-731 lead entering the final frame of the traditional match. Vanderbilt held fast and took a 915-834 into the baker total pinfall series.
In the baker series, Stephen F. Austin came out firing, putting up a 245 in the first baker total pinfall game. However, Vanderbilt would close the gap over four-straight wins to take a narrow 995-960 win and the 2-0 sweep over the 2016 national champions.
The championship match will take place on Sunday, March 26 at 9 a.m. CT.