Stephen F. Austin
Vanderbilt Music City Classic
Ladyjacks Post 5-1 Record Over Opening Day of Music City Classic
3/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
2016 Vanderbilt Music City Classic
Smyrna Bowling Center | Smyrna, Tenn.
Result: SFA goes 5-1 over the opening day
Round Two: Saturday, March 19 | 9:30 a.m.
SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Fifth-ranked Stephen F. Austin had a strong start to the 2016 Vanderbilt Music City Classic, posting a 5-1 record over the opening day of competition, competing in team baker matches. The Ladyjacks now sit at 73-36 for the season as it makes a final push to qualify for the 2016 NCAA Championships.
Playing in its final tournament of the regular season, the Ladyjacks opened up the day with a 1,005-818 victory over Howard. SFA bowled a 200-or better in three of the five matches against the Bison, highlighted by a 223 in game two.
Match two pitted the Ladyjacks against Alabama A&M and once again SFA rolled to the victory, racing past the Lady Bulldogs 994-618. Once again, three 200-pin games helped lead the Ladyjacks to the win, highlighted by a 233 in game two -- the second-highest game of the day for SFA.
Yet another installment of the Battle of the Piney Woods was on tap next as SFA and Sam Houston State renewed their rivalry in middle Tennessee. It was a fast start for the Ladyjacks, bowling a 219 in game one, but the Bearkats gradually pulled away, defeating SFA 948-863 to drop the Ladyjacks to 2-1 on the day.
SFA rebounded in match four, taking down Prairie View A&M 955-825. The Panthers held the lead after three games but the Ladyjacks responded in kind, taking down Prairie View 206-123 in game four and 204-149 in game five to secure the victory.
Up next was a matchup against Elmhurst and once again, SFA hit the shots it needed to to earn the 926-826 victory. The Ladyjacks took four of the five games against the Lady Bluejays, highlighted by a day-best 234-188 win in game five to solidify the match.
SFA's most competitive match came in the day's finale as the Ladyjacks squared off against seventh-ranked McKendree. SFA raced out to a convincing lead after game one, defeating the Bearcats 197-146, then matched McKendree nearly pin for pin the rest of the way as the two teams tied 188-188 in the final game of the day, giving SFA the 929-866 victory.
Saturday the tournament switches to six traditional matches, getting underway at 9:30 a.m. SFA opens up the day with Sacred Heart, then goes head-to-head against Franklin Pierce, Nebraska, St. Francis (Pa.), North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman. Full results will be posted at SFAJacks.com as they become available.
Match One: SFA 1,005, Howard 818
W, 198-149; W, 223-146; W, 169-155; W, 206-199; W, 209-169
Match Two: SFA 994, Alabama A&M 618
W, 147-135; W, 233-111; W, 176-132; W, 223-129; W, 215-111
Match Three: Sam Houston State 948, SFA 863
W, 219-185; L, 206-148; W, 166-155; L, 214-138; W, 192-188
Match Four: SFA 955, Prairie View A&M 825
W, 180-168; L, 182-175; L, 203-190; W, 206-123; W, 204-149
Match Five: SFA 926, Elmhurst 826
W, 165-125; W, 192-168; L, 194-165; W, 170-151; W, 234-188
Match Six: SFA 929, McKendree 866
W, 197-146; W, 196-194; W, 179-167; L, 171-169; T, 188-188
-SFA-
