SMYRNA, Tenn. (3/17/13) – The Arkansas State women's bowling team advanced to the championship match of the Music City Classic, but fell to Maryland-Eastern Shore 4-1 to finish in second place. 

The Red Wolves opened up the day by winning 4-2 in a match over fourth-seeded Nebraska.  ASU won the first game of the match by a single pin 184-183 before Nebraska tied it at 1-1.  A-State won the next two games, but Nebraska won game five to close the gap to 3-2.  The Red Wolves took the sixth match 220-172 to win 4-2 and advanced to play Vanderbilt.

ASU took on the Commodores in the second round and both teams exchanged wins to set the score at 2-2 heading into game five.  A-State took game five by a score of 199-175 and went on to win game six by a count of 221-207 to defeat Vanderbilt 4-2 and advance to the championship match against UMES.

In the championship match ASU won the first game 225-181, but lost the next two games by scores of 235-225 and 215-214 to fall behind 2-1.  Maryland-Eastern Shore kept the momentum from its two narrow wins to win games four and five and take home the Music City Classic championship, while the Red Wolves finished in second place.

“To finish second in this field was a very good showing right before the national tournament,” ASU bowling coach Justin Kostick said.  “Finishing second in this tournament against top competition was very good and should help us going into nationals.  It would have been nice to get that last win and win the tournament though.  We need to improve on our spare shooting before the NCAA tournament.”