Jan. 14, 2017
JONESBORO, Ark. – Vanderbilt could never quite get its game into high gear and as a result, finished the first two days of the Mid-Winter Classic in fifth place, missing a chance to win the tournament in the championship bracket that is reserved for the top four teams in pin count.
The sixth-ranked Commodores won just two of five team games Saturday, giving them a record of 6-4 over the first two days. Wins came over Lincoln Memorial and Drury while ninth-ranked Monmouth, top rated Nebraska and No. 23 Alabama-Birmingham handed Vandy defeats.
Giselle Poss lead Vanderbilt individuals with a 196.40 average over five games with Maria Bulanova 11th at 191.6. Poss, Bulanova, Adel Wahner and Katie Stark bowled every game while the fifth spot was rotated in search of a spark. Arkansas State’s Jordan Richard won the individual title averaging 212.
Sunday’s competition starts at 8:30 a.m and the Commodores could rise as high as third with a strong showing in the best-of-seven Baker bracket. Vanderbilt meets Maryland-Eastern Shore in the opening round, a team it beat in Friday’s Baker play.
The championship bracket consists of Nebraska, McKendree, host Arkansas State and Stephen F. Austin.
