ROWLETT, Texas – Second-seed Arkansas State and fifth-seed Sam Houston advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Southland Bowling League Championships after an exciting opening day at the Rowlett Bowl-A-Rama.
Three of the four matches in the second round went to the best-of-seven baker series.
Arkansas State picked up a 2-0 win in the opening round over No. 7 Tulane, 1009 and 931 to 906 and 921. In the quarterfinals, the Red Wolves took the traditional portion over No. 3 Stephen F. Austin 1007-985, but the Ladyjacks took the baker matches 1019-854. ASU moved to the semifinals by taking four baker matches in the best-of-seven.
Sam Houston took a tightly-contested 2-0 opening match over No. 4 Youngstown State with a 1085-1045 traditional win and a 1083-1060 baker win. In the quarterfinals, the Bearkats went the distance with top-seeded Vanderbilt. SHSU won traditional 1010-978 before the Commodores won the baker matches 939-926. The best-of-seven went to all seven matches, including a one-pin decision in the second match. Sam Houston won the final match 194-190 to make it to the semifinals.
After opening losses, No. 4 Youngstown State and No. 6 Louisiana Tech advanced in the losers brackets. The Penguins took a 2-1 win over No. 8 Valparaiso and the Lady Techsters earned a 2-0 win over Tulane.
The Championship resumes on Saturday morning with elimination matches as No. 1 Vanderbilt takes on No. 4 Youngstown State and No. 3 Stephen F. Austin taking on No. 6 Louisiana Tech.
| Friday, March 24 |
| Matchup |
Result |
| 1 |
No. 1 Vanderbilt vs. No. 8 Valparaiso |
Vandy 2 (1046-1080), Valpo 0 (834-929) |
| 2 |
No. 4 Youngstown State vs. No. 5 Sam Houston |
SHSU 2 (1085-1083), YSU 0 (1045-1060) |
| 3 |
No. 3 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 6 Louisiana Tech |
SFA 2 (971-1032), LaTech 0 (938-967) |
| 4 |
No. 2 Arkansas State vs. No. 7 Tulane |
ASU 2 (1009-931), Tulane 0 (906-921) |
| 5 |
No. 8 Valparaiso vs. No. 4 Youngstown State
Elimination Match |
YSU 2 (926-874-4), Valpo 1 (791-886-1) |
| 6 |
No. 6 Louisiana Tech vs. No. 7 Tulane
Elimination Match |
LaTech 2 (1002-967), Tulane 0 (900-810) |
| 7 |
No. 1 Vanderbilt vs. No. 5 Sam Houston |
SHSU 2 (1010-926-4), Vandy 1 (978-939-3) |
| 8 |
No. 3 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 2 Arkansas State |
ASU 2 (1007-854-4), SFA 1 (985-1019-2) |
| Saturday, March 25 |
| Matchup |
Time |
Result |
| 9 |
No. 4 Youngstown State vs. No. 1 Vanderbilt
Elimination Match |
Lanes 15-16 |
8:30 a.m. |
Stream |
| 10 |
No. 6 Louisiana Tech vs. No. 3 Stephen F. Austin
Elimination Match |
Lanes 19-20 |
8:30 a.m. |
Stream |
| 11 |
No. 5 Sam Houston vs. No. 2 Arkansas State |
Lanes 19-20 |
1:30 p.m. |
Stream |
| 12 |
Match 9 winner vs. Match 10 winner
Elimination Match |
Lanes 5-6 |
1:30 p.m. |
Stream |
| Sunday, March 26 |
| Matchup |
Time |
Result |
| 13 |
Match 12 winner vs. Match 11 loser
Elimination Match |
Lanes 7-8 |
8 a.m. |
Stream |
| 14 |
Match 11 winner vs. Match 13 winner
Championship Match |
Lanes 17-18 |
TBD |
Stream |
| 15 |
Match 14 rematch
If Match 11 winner loses Match 14 |
Lanes 13-14 |
TBD |
|