JONESBORO, Ark. (1/21/12) – The Arkansas State bowling team won its first tournament of the season on Saturday at the Big Red Invitational after nudging out Central Missouri by two pins in the pinfall average count.

The Red Wolves went 3-0 on Saturday and finished with a tournament best 208.18 per game average. Central Missouri finished second with 206.84 average, while Nebraska was third with a 206.18 average.

Individually, A-State freshman Sarah Lokker finished second and was named to the all-tournament with a 227.60 average. Junior Rachael Gittings was also named to the all-tournament team after finishing fifth with a 220 average in the tournament.

“I was happy that Sarah and Rachael bowled really well and made the all-tournament team,” ASU bowling coach Justin Kostick said. “More importantly, though, I was happy that we finally got over the hump and were able to finish a tournament with a win.

ASU defeated Elmhurst, Wisconsin-Whitewater and Nebraska on Saturday to finish the tournament with an 11-2 record.

ASU had previously finished second in three tournaments this season, including second in the Mid-Winter Classic at the Jonesboro Bowling Center. They also had a third place finish at the Crusader Classic in November.

“We are happy to finally to get that win,” Kostick said. “We have been bowling really well all year and we just hadn’t been able to get over that hump and I’m happy that we finally did. It definitely feels good to finish second anymore.”

ASU will return to the action Feb. 3-5 at the Prairie View A&M Invitational in Arlington, Texas.

Individual Standings/ All-Tournament Team/Big Red Invitational

1. 237.80 Central Missouri Gabriella Mayfield
2. 227.60 avg. Arkansas State Sara Lokker
3. 225 avg. Sam Houston State Dayna Galganski
4. 222 avg. Nebraska Kristina Mickelson
5. 220 avg. Arkansas State’s Rachael Gittings

Final Tournament Standings: by average

1.208.18 Arkansas State
2. 206.84 Central Missouri
3. 206.18 Nebraska
4. 196.77 Sam Houston State
5. 196.70 Wisconsin-Whitewater
6. 195.20 Stephen F. Austin
7. 193.97 Valparaiso
8. 184.68 Monmouth
9. 179.95 Bethune-Cookman
10. 178.83 Elmhurst
11. 171.81 Alabama Birmingham
12. 161.77 Florida A&M