ST. LOUIS — The Louisiana Tech bowling team finished the weekend with a 9-3 record and a third-place finish at the Columbia 300 Saints Invite at Bowlero Lakeside on Sunday.
 
The 12th-ranked Bulldogs (56-33) went the full seven games in every match on the final day to go 2-1.
 
LA Tech opened the day against the host No. 11 Maryville. The Bulldogs won a low-scoring first game 181-137. The Bulldogs would shoot above 200 in the next three games, but the Saints would come away with a 3-1 advantage. The host took game two 235-205, game three 246-228, and game four 236-224.
 
With their backs against the wall, Louisiana Tech never gave up and continued to roll in the plus. The Bulldogs easily won the fifth 225-173. The sixth was closer, but the front four and a turkey in the eighth, ninth, and 10th put the game out of reach for Maryville. That would force a deciding game seven.
 
The Bulldogs struggled through the first half of the game with two opens and only one strike. The back half was a different story. LA Tech strung together a five-bagger before a 10-pin ended the run. That would be enough for the 'Dogs to take the game 209-205 and the match.
 
That would set up a match with the defending USBC Intercollegiate Team champions, No. 7 Wichita State. Tech once again took game one, 233-183. The Shockers would win the next two, 225-210 and 217-205. The Bulldogs would bounce back and tie it up with a 191-169 win in game four. They would take the lead with a 233-215 win in game five. Game six would be a high-scoring affair, with Wichita State taking it 269-256. The Shockers were nearly perfect in taking game seven, 279-196.
 
Louisiana Tech would drop to the third-fourth-place game against No. 11 Sacred Heart. This time, the Bulldogs would drop game one but gave a valiant effort, 256-234. A 10-pin after a strike in the 10th and the successful conversion forced a tie in game two at 203. The Bulldogs continued to shoot in the plus with a 236 and 237 in the next two to go up 2.5-1.5. The Pioneers won game five 225-204 before Tech rolled a 211 to take game six and one game away from the win.
 
Tech saved their best game for last. After two eight counts, the Bulldogs closed out the tournament with 10 consecutive strikes for a 278 and claimed third.

QUOTEABLES
Head Coach Matt Nantais
"This weekend, we really nailed it on the lanes. Our team is coming together at the perfect time, and we are excited to get back on campus and practice to continue our success the rest of the season."

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will take a week off before returning to the lanes for the Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by Arkansas State at the Hijinx Family Entertainment Center in Jonesboro, Ark., starting on February 14.
 
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