The #19 Valpo bowling team finished with winning records on all three days of the Stormin’ Blue and White Vegas Classic in Las Vegas, closing tournament play Wednesday with a pair of wins in bracket play to place 13^th.

How It Happened

• Valpo opened bracket play, contested in the best-of-seven baker format, against Southern. The two teams split the first two games before Southern claimed games three and four to take a 3-1 lead in the match.
• The Beacons kept the match alive by winning game five, and then forced a decisive seventh game with a 202 effort in game six. A nailbiter in the finale ended in Valpo’s favor by a single pin, giving the Beacons the 4-3 match win.
• The victory advanced Valpo into a matchup against #20 Oklahoma Christian. After two games, the match was even at 1-1, but the Beacons dropped game three by three pins and OCU went on to the 4-1 match win.
• The final matchup of the tournament for the Beacons was for 13^th place against Texas Southern. All four games were close, with none of them decided by more than 18 pins, but it was Valpo emerging victorious in all four games for the 4-0 match win.
• The Beacons finished the tournament with an 8-4 record, the third time in four tournaments this season they have posted a .667 winning percentage or better.

Next Up

Valpo (30-20) returns to the lanes late this month, competing next at the Red Flash Invitational, hosted by St. Francis (Pa.). The three-day tournament begins Friday, Jan. 26.