JONESBORO, Ark. — The 11th-ranked Louisiana Tech bowling team started slow but found their mark on the first day of the Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by Arkansas State at the Hijinx Family Entertainment Center on Friday.
 
The Bulldogs (58-35) finished 2-2 with a 4,772 pinfall to sit in 12th after the opening day.

LA Tech started slowly with their lowest set of the year against No. 3 Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks came away with the 1,002-775 win.
 
The Bulldogs started to find their mark against Alabama State. Tech opened with an 181 to take a 24-pin lead. The first 200 and clean game of the day for Tech came in the second, where the 'Dogs rolled a 235 to the Hornets' 225. LA Tech shot a 226 in the third, but ASU had a 257 to close the gap to three. The Bulldogs finished the match with a 198 and 175 to take the set 1,015-986.
 
Louisiana Tech had a bye in the third set but continued that momentum with a 1,020. The Bulldogs rolled 214, 203, 235, 178, and 190.
 
Tech shot four games in the plus against No. 14 Wisconsin-Whitewater, but five splits in game two ultimately were the difference in the 1,113-1,012 loss. The Bulldogs would lose the second game by 105 pins with those five splits. Tech rolled 227, 211, 234, and 209 in the other four games and would have an 881-877 advantage.
 
In the final set against No. 10 Maryville, LA Tech would struggle to be consistent through the first four games but only find themselves down by 20. After having their high game of 194 in game four, the Bulldogs found a mark and strung together a six-bagger on the way to a 230 and an 83-pin advantage to take the set 950-887.
 
QUOTEABLES
Head Coach Matt Nantais
 
"Our win-loss record this weekend was expectable being at 70 percent or 9-4. We still need to figure out how to be a team. At times, they show signs of working together; at other times, they show more of just being individuals. With so many new members on this team, it is taking longer for bonds and team chemistry to be created. In addition, big moments, such as stepping up, need to improve and complete their jobs. We have had more wins than losses in the first half but are waiting for the team chemistry to build. Looking forward to the second half."
 
UP NEXT
The traditional portion of the tournament will begin on Saturday, with Louisiana Tech taking on No. 9 Stephen F. Austin, No. 7 Wichita State, No. 5 Youngstown State, No. 13 McKendree, and Jackson State.
 
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