KENNER, La. (3/25/16) – The Arkansas State women's bowling squad posted a 2-1 record after the first day of competition at the Southland Bowling League Championship at All-Star Lanes in Kenner, La., and remains in contention for the league's title heading into Saturday's championship day.

The top-seeded Red Wolves (78-31) opened the bracket play tournament with a 4-2 victory of the No. 8 Louisiana Tech. A-State captured a 15 pin victory (169-154) in the first game, but the Lady Techsters evened the things up with a 182-181 win in the second game. Arkansas State forged ahead with a pair of wins in games three and four, but La Tech got within 3-2 with a 184-172 win in the fifth game. The Red Wolves put the match away with a 204-171 in game six to advance to the second round against No. 4 Stephen F. Austin.

A-State won games one (194-180) and two (179-156) to take an early two game lead in the match, but the Ladyjacks rallied to tie things up with wins in games three (193-181) and four (226-193). The Red Wolves rolled a match-high 237 in game five, but Stephen F. Austin tied the match at three games each by rolling a 225 in game six. Arkansas State closed out the match with a 213-182 in game seven to advance in the main draw.

In the semifinal match against No. 3 Sam Houston State, the Red Wolves fell behind 2-0 as the Bearkats captured 200-190 and 245-180 wins. A-State bounced back with a 205-166 in game three, but Sam Houston State closed out the match with 213-211 and 182-175 wins in the final two games to advance to the championship match.

“We bowled extremely well in the first two matches and I felt like we bowled well enough to win the last match even though we lost 4-1,” A-State bowling coach Justin Kostick said. “Bowing is about timely shots and we didn't get any of them in the last match.”

The Red Wolves will face the No. 2 Vanderbilt at 9:35 a.m. Saturday morning for the right to face Sam Houston State in the championship round. Whichever team advances will have to beat the Bearkats twice to claim the title. The

The 2016 Southland Bowling League championship tournament will be broadcast in its entirety on InsideBowling.com. Fans can watch live coverage, anchored by Mike Flanagan, for free throughout the event.

Single-day passes for Saturday or Sunday are available for $10. Two-day passes are $15. Children under the age of five and students at Southland Bowling League institutions are free with a valid student ID.

The Southland Bowling League was formed in the fall of 2014 and by the formalization as a league. Southland Bowling League members will be at-large candidates for the NCAA Championship. The NCAA Bowling Championship is April 14-16 in North Brunswick, N.J.

For the latest on the A-State women's bowling team, fans can follow the squad on Twitter (@stAtebowling) and by liking the Arkansas State Women's Bowling Facebook page.