KENNER, La. (3/26/16) – The Arkansas State women's bowling team came out of the loser's bracket at the 2016 Southland Bowling League Championship being held at All Star Lanes in Kenner, La., to win the tournament's championship with a 4-0 sweep of Sam Houston State in the finals.

Top-seeded A-State (80-31) snuck by the Bearkats 177-176 in game one of the championship set before a 159-142 in game two but the Red Wolves on top 2-0. Arkansas State posted consecutive 200 scores to trump SHSU's 152 and 155 in games three and four, respectively, to claim the team's first Southland Bowling League Championship, which is in its second year of existence.

“It's a great feeling to win the league championship, especially in such a competitive field,” A-State head women's bowling coach Justin Kostick said. “I'm so proud of this team and to come in here and win after winning our last tournament means we are going in the right direction as postseason play comes about.”

The Red Wolves dropped their first game of the day to Vandy 196-184, but bounced back to win four consecutive (212-195, 197-175, 183-169, and 203-172) to advance to the championship match against Sam Houston State.  SHSU was previously undefeated in the event, while A-State and Vanderbilt were in the loser's bracket.

A-State sophomore Jordan Richard was named the Most Valuable Bowler in the event, while fellow sophomore Jadee Scott-Jones and junior Brooke Wood were named all-tournament. Joining the Red Wolves' trio on the team were Sam Houston State's Stephanie Zavala and Carrie Hopkinson, along with Monmouth's Kaitlyn Reth.

“I'm very proud of Jordan and, as she so often does, she proved why she's one of the top players in the country,” Kostick added. “Brooke and Jadee also bowled really well throughout the event and I was excited to see how well they performed under pressure.  Our whole lineup really did well today and throughout the competition.”