Bearkats beat top-ranked teams in Kansas City
3/1/2014 4:27:00 PM | Women's Bowling
Sam Houston's No. 7 ranked women's bowling team definitely made a statement Saturday on the second day of the Central Missouri Mules Invitational this weekend.
The event at the AMF Pro Bowl Lanes in Kansas City, Mo., is the Bearkats' next-to-last regular season tournament of the 2013-14 season. Their performance should make an impression on the NCAA selection committee next month.
Saturday in tradition team action, Sam Houston defeated No. 6 Stephen F. Austin 1,072-919, unranked New Jersey City 933-618, No. 1 Arkansas Sate 1,074-1,056, No. 14 Valparaiso 957-922, and No. 2 Nebraska 955-941.
“We executed a new and aggressive game day to perfection today,” SHSU head coach Brad Hagen said. “We were able to put everything together and it proves what this team can get done."
Janine Kuwahara finished fourth in the tournament in individual traditional team total pins with 1,075.
The Kats opened Friday's quad baker play with a narrow 836-827 loss to No. 5 ranked tournament host Central Missouri. No. 8 Vanderbilt handed SHSU a 1,003-949 defeat in the squad's second match of the day.
Sam Houston rallied to win their final three duels. The Kats defeated No. 9 Wisconsin-Whitewater 997-772, No. 15 McKendree 1,044-897 and unranked Elmhurst 953-945.
"After a slow start with a tough starting pair, we made the best of the day Friday,” said. “Our wins against Whitewater and Mckendree were wins that will make a difference at the end of the year. We have to do a better job on Saturday. It can be a huge momentum boost moving forward."
No. 2 Nebraska ended the tournament leader in total pins with 10,065.
Due to the potential for severe winter weather in the Kansas City area Saturday night, Sunday's bracket play has been canceled. The event will conclude Saturday morning with five traditional team matches.
Sam Houston's results:
Quad Baker Matches - Friday
Vs. Central Missouri (#5) – 827-836 loss
Vs. Vanderbilt (#8) – 949-1,003 loss
Vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (#9) – 997-772 win
Vs. McKendree (#15) – 1,044-897 win
Vs. Elmhurst – 953-945 win
Traditional Team Matches – Saturday
Vs. Stephen F. Austin (#6) – 1,072-919
Vs. New Jersey City – 933-618
Vs. Arkansas State (#1) – 1,074-1,056
Vs. Valparaiso (#14) – 957-922
Vs. Nebraska (#2) – 955-941.
