The #17 Valparaiso bowling team closed out the Columbia 300 Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tenn. on Sunday with a pair of wins.

The Crusaders finished the day, with standings kept separately from Saturday’s action, in 12^th place out of the 23 competing teams.  Valpo totaled 4,668 pins over the five five-game baker matches, just nine pins out of 11^th position.

Opening the day against Jackson State, the Crusaders found themselves 39 pins down after the first game.  But Valpo would rally, outscoring JSU in each of the final four games to earn a 967-934 win.  But the tables were turned in the second match, as despite besting Alabama State by 33 pins in the first game, the Crusaders fell short of ASU’s pin count in each of the final four games in a 964-890 loss.

Valpo had a golden shot to down host #6 Vanderbilt in its third match of the day, leading the Commodores by 73 pins entering the final game.  It would take a tremendous game to defeat the Crusaders, but Vandy did just that, posting a 286 in the finale as Valpo fell by a final of 1028-985.  The Crusaders never led in their next match against #7 Sam Houston State, dropping a 956-856 decision, but rebounded in the tournament finale against #RV Prairie View A&M, out-scoring their opponent by 102 pins in the fourth game alone en route to a 969-846 win.

Valparaiso (47-60) has a weekend off before heading to the inaugural Southland Bowling League Championship in Houston, Texas.  The two-day tournament kicks off on Saturday, March 21.