Nov. 7, 2011

RUSTON - The Louisiana Tech Lady Techster bowlers won a school record 16 straight games on its way to claiming the 2011 Southern Invitational this weekend in Baton Rouge.

Tech entered Sunday's baker match play as the top seed out of the seven-team field after recording the highest pin total over the first two days, besting second seed and Top 20 ranked Prairie View by 177 pins.

Sunday's final day started rough as LA Tech fell to the loser's bracker after Prairie View A&M (4-2) defeated the Lady Techsters in the best of seven match. However, Tech responded by winning a school record 16 straight games to sweep Southern, Tulane, Mississippi Valley State and Texas Southern for the championship title.

"The girls did a great job the first two days to put themselves in position to win," said Tech head coach Shawn Jackson. "After losing the first game on Sunday, I had a heart to heart talk with them. I told them the only way to feel better is to play better and win it.

"They were determined after that and never took their foot off the gas. We have three young ladies from Baton Rouge on our roster, and for three days it felt like we were at home with the support we received. That really helped.

"All eight of our young ladies played a major role in the success this weekend. Sunday was a seven-hour day, and we needed everyone to get through it."

Houston Granger received all-tournament honors for the Lady Techsters after recording a 182 average during the three-day event.

Tech returns to action Dec. 2-4 when it travels to Huntsville, Texas for the Sam Houston State Kats Clash which will include a field of five of the top 10 teams in the nation.