SFA 4-6 Through Two Days At Greater Ozark Invite
10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
Oct. 30, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack bowling team wrapped up Day 2 of the Greater Ozark Invitational on Saturday and is the No. 7 team going into the final day on Sunday.
SFA went 2-3 on each of the first two days of action, picking up wins over Elmhurst, Minnesota State-Mankato, Louisiana Tech and Southern. Both Minnesota State-Mankato and Louisiana Tech are ranked among the nation's top 20 teams.
"We're bowling really well," SFA head coach Laura Cramer said. "We just seem to be getting everybody's best shot."
The Ladyjacks are fourth in total pin count for the tournament, despite their 4-6 overall record.
On Day 1, SFA opened with back-to-back wins over Elmhurst (906-830) and Minnesota State-Mankato (888-829). The Ladyjacks then dropped a 975-953 decision against Sam Houston State and followed with losses against Prairie View A&M (873-797) and Central Missouri (967-850).
SFA came into Day 2 seeded sixth in the tournament.
"We had some kids really step up and bowl well today," Cramer said. "But, again, despite putting up some big numbers in pin count, we just couldn't get past our opponent in a couple of games."
The Ladyjacks opened with an 886-835 win over Louisiana Tech, led by Sierra Gibbons' 201.
SFA followed with a close 987-959 loss to nationally ranked Arkansas State. Gibbons again led the way, rolling a 248. The Ladyjacks were neck-and-neck Arkansas State until the final frame, when the Red Wolves sealed the win.
"That was the closest, most exciting game I've ever watched, let alone coached," Cramer said.
The Ladyjacks rebounded by beating Southern, 954-940. Nicole Parkhurst bowled a 220 in that contest. Madison Williams chipped in with a 194 and Gibbons rolled a 191.
SFA followed with yet another narrow defeat, losing, 945-903, to Valparaiso, another nationally ranked team. In a positioning round rematch against Arkansas State, SFA dropped a 959-846 decision.
For the day, Parkhurst averaged 190. Williams averaged 189 and Gibbons averaged 187.
The Ladyjacks go into Day 3 seeded seventh. The final day will consist of best-of-seven Baker format match-ups in a bracketed tournament. SFA opens by taking on No. 8 Southern.
-- SFA --
