Big Wins Lead Bowling to Fifth-Place Finish at Mid-Winter Classic

Friday, January 12

Jonesboro, Ark.

Tulane University

Mid-Winter Invitational

Big Wins Lead Bowling to Fifth-Place Finish at Mid-Winter Classic

Jan 14, 2018 | Women's Bowling

Mid-Winter Classic Final Results

JONESBORO, Ark. – No. 9 Tulane bowling picked up a pair of wins over top-10 teams Sunday and finished fifth at the Arkansas State Mid-Winter Classic at Hijinx Family Entertainment Center. The Green Wave posted an 8-5 record, 13,542 pin total and a 196.3 pin average in the tournament.

Tulane defeated No. 5 Sam Houston State and No. 7 Stephen F. Austin in bracket play Sunday to claim fifth place in the 20-team tournament that included 13 ranked schools and six top-10 foes.
The Green Wave set a school record with a 299 in the second Baker game against SFA in the second round on Sunday.

After falling to host and third-ranked Arkansas State, 4-3, in the opening round of bracket play, the Green Wave rebounded with a 4-2 win over Stephen F. Austin, including a 299-199 win in the second game. The Wave concluded the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Sam Houston State, capping a weekend in which it went 5-4 against ranked opponents, including two wins over top-10 teams.

Senior Michelle Ng finished 10^th individually with a 215.40 pin average, freshman Madison McCall placed 17^th with a 209.60 pin average and junior Tiera Gulum finished 23^rd with a 205.80 average in a field of 113 bowlers.

"To finish fifth in this tough field was a really good way to start the spring," Tulane head coach Hayley Veitch said. "To top it off having our highest baker game of 299 in bracket play was really exciting and brought the team together. We had a rocky start on Friday but the team rebounded for a solid performance on Saturday and Sunday. Attending team trials beforehand definitely helped with our preparation and led to our success in this tournament. Although we only have three days to recover, we will be ready to roll in Reading, Pa. on Friday."

Tulane bounced back from a tough Friday in which it went 2-3 with 4,780 pins in Baker play, to put up a 4-1 record Saturday with 5,000 pins in traditional play. The Wave won six of their final seven matches in the tournament.

The Green Wave have a quick turnaround, returning to action next weekend, Jan. 19-21, at the Kutztown Invitational in Reading, Pa.

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Final Standings
1. No. 2 McKendree
2. No. 1 Nebraska
3. No. 4 Vanderbilt
4. No. 3 Arkansas State
5. No. 9 Tulane
6. No. 5 Sam Houston State
7. No. 7 Stephen F. Austin
8. No. 14 UAB
9. No. 19 Louisiana Tech
10. No. 11 Central Missouri
11. No. 20 Maryville
12. No. 22 Alabama State
13. Jackson State
14. Valparaiso
15. No. 23 Lincoln Memorial
16. Texas Southern
17. Drury
18. Lincoln University (Mo.)
19. Alabama A&M
20. Grambling State

Tulane Individual Rankings (pin avg)
10. Michelle Ng (215.40)
17. Madison McCall (209.60)
23. Tiera Gulum (205.80)
75. Isabelle Lee (205.00)
101. Nikki Williams (178.50)
102. Joanna Hackett (172.00)
105. Claire Turner (162.50)