The #21 Valpo bowling team closed out the Bulldog Classic in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday on a high note, winning each of its final two matches — including its third top-10 win in the last two days — to finish the tournament in seventh place.
How It Happened
- The Beacons opened the day, contested in the best-of-seven baker format in bracket play, against #17 Tulane. While Valpo downed Tulane when they met back on Friday, the Green Wave emerged victorious 4-2 on Sunday, taking the first two games and not letting the Beacons even up the match.
- The loss dropped Valpo into a matchup versus Alabama State, and the Beacons took care of business there, bouncing back from a game one loss to earn a 4-1 win — highlighted by a 214 in game three.
- Valpo ended bracket play in the seventh-place match against #8 Sam Houston State, and it turned out to be about as decisive a victory over the Bearkats as Saturday's traditional team match was. The Beacons started strong with a 246 in game one, edged SHSU by two pins with a 226 in game two and by one pin in game three, and closed out a 4-0 sweep with a 197 in game four.
- The 210.8 average over the four matches is 10th-best in program history for a best-of-seven baker match.
- With SHSU ranked eighth nationally, it is the second-highest ranked opponent Valpo has swept in a best-of-seven baker match in program history, coming up shy of only a 4-0 win over #6 Nebraska in November 2011 at the Crusader Classic. Valpo's last sweep of a top-10 foe came over #10 Stephen F. Austin at the Music City Classic in March 2012.
- Valpo ended the tournament with three victories over top-10 programs and with a 4-2 record against CUSA conference foes. On the weekend, the Beacons went 5-3 against teams ranked above them in the NTCA poll.
Next Up
Valpo (22-16) closes fall semester action next weekend at McKendree's Bearcat Invitational. The three-day tournament begins on Friday morning.
