ARLINGTON, Texas | The Tigers split their opening two matches to start the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament on Friday at the International Bowling Training and Research Center (ITRC).

In the first match of the day, Texas Southern took a 1-0 lead after taking the traditional game 892-861. Freshman Mackenzie Conway led the Tigers in her first postseason contest with a game of 189, while senior Juliana Rincon totaled 182 to begin her final SWAC Tournament. Catalina Tovar (179), Saida Lugo (164), and Faith Washington (147) rounded out the individual bowlers in the traditional game. 

The Tigers rallied in a big way claiming victory in the Baker five-game portion of the mega-match 986-773. Jackson State won all five games, breaking 200-plus in three of them. A score of 224-163 in the fifth game brought the total to 986-773 in favor of the Tigers and pushed the two teams into a Baker best-of-seven series.

Texas Southern got off to a good start, taking the first of seven games 180-144. Jackson State fired back with a 206-169 win in the second game. The teams continued to trade wins back and forth with Texas Southern taking game three 207-173 and Jackson State taking game four 193-181. Jackson State used two good performances to advance past Texas Southern, winning the final two games 160-147 and 179-149 respectively. 

After a hard-fought win over Texas Southern, the Tigers prepared for another formidable opponent in the co-regular season champion Southern Jaguars. The Tigers carried their momentum from their previous match into round two claiming victory in the traditional game 895-850. Freshman Thalia Nelson replaced Conway and stepped up to lead the Tigers with a game of 201. Rincon (182), Washington (178), Tovar (176), and Lugo (158) followed behind to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. 

In the Baker five-game total pinfall portion, the Tigers looked to continue their strong play by taking the first game 151-144. Unfortunately for Jackson State, the Jaguars rallied to win the next four games to push the match to a decisive Baker best-of-seven. 

Both teams elevated their play even higher, doing everything they could to advance in the coveted winner's bracket. The Tigers put together two strong performances, winning the first two games 181-148 and 198-159. With their backs against the wall, the Jaguars answered back, edging out a 146-143 win in game three and recording the highest score of the match to secure a 220-134 win in game four. The Tigers won a close game five 167-165 to take a 3-2 lead. The Jaguars again responded as they went on to win the next two games to advance in the winner's bracket. 

Up Next
The Tigers will move to the loser's bracket where they will face Alabama A&M on Saturday at 9 a.m. for a chance to play the winner of Texas Southern and Alabama State at 1 p.m.

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