#15 Valparaiso closed out the Mid-Winter Invitational, hosted by Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark., with a 12^th-place finish on Sunday.

The Crusaders opened the day’s bracket play, contested in the best-of-seven baker format, against #20 Tulane.  Valpo dropped a close four-pin decision in game one and eventually found itself down 3-0.  The Crusaders kept the match alive with a 224 effort in game four, but lost by two pins in game five to fall to Tulane, 4-1.

Valpo rebounded in its second match of the day, as facing off against Louisiana Tech, the Crusaders rallied from a 2-1 deficit for three straight wins, including a tight 181-175 win in the decisive game, to earn the 4-2 victory.  Faced with a rematch with Tulane in the tournament finale, Valpo dropped a 4-0 decision.

Valparaiso (25-30) has a quick turnaround, returning to the lanes next weekend at the Kutztown Invitational in Reading, Pa.  The three-day tournament opens on Friday.