NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (4/16/16) – The second-seeded Arkansas State women's bowling team dropped a 4-1 decision to McKendree Saturday morning to end its pursuit of the program's first national championship at Brunswick Zone Carolier Bowl in New Brunswick, N.J.
The Red Wolves (85-36) split the first two matches with the eighth-seeded Bearcats with a 178-156 loss in game one which saw both teams show some nerves, but were able to bounce back with a 204-165 win in game two. However, McKendree proved to be too much with three straight wins (206-163, 216-176, and 216-184) to claim the match and advance to play Nebraska.
“It's frustrating to lose and for whatever reason in this tournament we just didn't play well to begin each session,” A-State head women's bowling coach Justin Kostick said. “I felt like if we could just get passed McKendree we would have settled in and given Nebraska a run for their money. However, that didn't happen. I feel bad for the team and especially senior Stephanie Mims. We don't have anything to be ashamed of though. I know we competed and tried out best and, unfortunately in sports, someone has to lose.”
This marks the third straight season the team has been one of the last six teams in the nation standing. A-State has won at least one match in bracket play in each of the seven years Kostick has led the squad to the NCAA Tournament. With the 1-2 record in bracket play this year, the team finished the tournament with a 5-5 mark, including the seeding round results.
McKendree lost to Nebraska 4-3 and allowed the Cornhuskers to advance to the championship match. North Carolina A&T, who ousted top seed Sam Houston State, lost to Stephen F. Austin 4-0 to set up a rematch of the 2015 championship between Nebraska and the Ladyjacks.
The championship match will appear live on ESPNU on April 16 at 6:30 pm ET with ESPN2 airing the broadcast on tape delay beginning at 6:00 pm ET on April 17.
For the latest on the A-State women's bowling team, fans can follow the squad on Twitter (@stAtebowling) and by liking the Arkansas State Women's Bowling Facebook page.
