Kats second at Holiday Classic in Alabama
2/25/2013 8:06:00 AM | Women's Bowling
The No. 8 ranked Sam Houston women's bowling team finished as runner-up in the Holiday Collegiate Classic at the Holiday Bowl Fun Center in Bessemer, Alabama.
Arkansas State won the tournament championship, defeating the Bearkats four games to none in best of seven baker play in the finals. The scores were 209-154, 191-177, 214-165, 193-182.
Sam Houston defeated Alabama A&M 4-0 and Vanderbilt 4-2 to reach the finals. The victory mark Sam Houston's first this season over No. 5 ranked Vandy.
Saturday, in tradition team matches, the Bearkats started the day with a 948-97 victory over No. 4 Arkansas State and an 848-786 win against unranked Jackson State.
Tulane upset the Bearkats 927-897 in the day's third match. Sam Houston bounced back for a 929-844 win against Texas Southern then fell 1008-874 to No. 5 Vanderbilt.
"We gave away too many pins at the wrong times today," SHSU head coach Brad Hagen said. "Our mistakes cost us today. But we can still make this tournament a success in bracket play Sunday."
A split with two nationally-ranked opponents and victories over three other non-ranked foes highlighted the first day of action at the Holiday Collegiate Classic.
Sam Houston opened Friday's quad baker action with an 824-719 loss to No. 5 Vanderbilt. The Kats still are winless against Vandy in three matches this year.
The Bearkat bowlers bounced back to defeat Alabama A&M 737-700, No. 15 Valparaiso 770-594, Alabama State 710-594 and Alabama-Birmingham 706-628.
"All in all it was a successful day," SHSU head coach Brad Hagen said. "As suspected the lanes are playing extremely demanding and require a lot of attention. We came out of the gate a little slow but this time of the year its about momentum and w's so for us to get that done today I am ok with it."
Total pin count from the first two rounds will determine the seeding for Sunday's best of seven baker bracket play.
"We have to do a better job of keeping our focus Sunday," Hagen said. "The game plan is simple - fill frames. We have a great opportunity to redeem ourselves Sunday and get some much needed quality wins under our belt."
The Holiday Classic is the first of the final three regular season tournaments left on the Bearkats' schedule. Sam Houston entered the tournament with a No. 8 national ranking. Eight teams will be selected for the NCAA Championships in April.
Sam Houston now owns a 79-24 dual match record. Sam Houston is 27-17 against teams that have been ranked among the top 20.
The Bearkats have won five tournament titles this year including championships in their last two events.
During the fall semester, the Kats won tournament titles at the Tulane Invitational, the Alabama A&M tournament and the Track Kat Klash in Huntsville. The Bearkats won the Bowie State Intercollegiate and the Southern Invitational this month.
Following the trip to Alabama, Sam Houston State will complete regular season action with tournaments at Kansas City March 1-3 and Smyma, Tennessee Mar 15-17.
