Smyrna, Tenn. --- The #19 Minnesota State University women’s bowling team knocked off two nationally-ranked teams in going 2-4 in the second day of competition – with five of MSU’s opponents appearing in the national poll - at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic Saturday.
With all six matches played in the Team Format (five individual games) today, MSU moves to 30-42 on the season and stands in 17th place out of 20 teams following the second day of the tournament.
In the opener, the Mavericks rallied late for an 848-843 triumph over #9 Sam Houston State. Minnesota State trailed by 26 pins heading into the final frame, but both freshman Amanda Klinger and sophomore Hali Clark recorded a pair of strikes in the 10th to help MSU rally for the five-pin win. Clark had a team-high score of 194, with Klinger right behind at 193.
A meeting with Jackson State was next, and the Mavericks came out on the short end of an 898-868 decision. Klinger had a team-high 191 in the defeat.
MSU’s second win over a ranked team came in the third match of the day, via a 1,014-944 shootout over #13 Adelphi. The Mavericks trailed by 20 at the midway point of the match, but never trailed from that point forward, pulling away for the 70-pin win. Both Clark and Klinger continued their early sterling performances, with Clark recording a clean sheet en route to a season-high 246, with Klinger right behind at a career-high 244. Clark had a clean sheet in her 246, notching strikes in seven of her final eight frames. Klinger, meanwhile, enjoyed six straight strikes starting in the third frame, and closed out the 10th with three more.
#8 Kutztown turned the tables on MSU in the fourth match, rallying from a 23-pin deficit after five frames to defeat the Mavericks 963-860. Junior Kelsey Dunkle had a team-high 212 after opening with four strikes, while senior Sarah Izydorek added a 192.
Yet another ranked team – this time #15 Saint Francis (N.Y.) – awaited Minnesota State, and the Terriers never trailed in picking up an 861-787 win. Izydorek led the way for MSU with a 180.
In the evening’s finale, #10 Sacred Heart trailed by five pins after seven frames, but roared back for a 988-906 win over the Mavericks. Izydorek had a strong finish to the day with a season-high 220, enjoying a clean sheet in the process. Dunkle chipped in with a 199.
Izydorek enjoyed an average score of 183.8 in six games of action, while Dunkle averaged a 178.5. Clark appeared in four contests, and had an average of 186.3, with Klinger posting an average of 184.8 in five games.
The Mavericks will conclude the 2010-11 season tomorrow with three Baker Format (Best Four-out-of-Seven Games) matches.
