ARLINGTON, Texas, April 5, 2024 --- The North Carolina A&T State women’s bowling team was defeated by the BearKats of Sam Houston State University in the mega-match 2-1 on Friday evening.  

The Aggies will play again on Saturday morning, April 6, in the elimination bracket taking on Louisiana Tech for the chance to compete for the regional crown.  

Sam Houston State won the traditional format by a score of 915-886 to go ahead 1-0 in the match. Lauren Tomaszewski led the Aggies as the anchor for the team with a score of 198 while Chloe Newberry was close behind with a 193 score in the traditional format.  

North Carolina A&T bounced back in the total pinfall format winning by just 22 pins, 1012-990, to even the match score at one game each. The Aggies led throughout the total pinfall round winning game one 235-161 (74 pins) before falling in game two 190-212 (-22 pins) to sit ahead by 52 pins. SHSU posted more points in the third game, 238-214, closing the NC A&T lead to just 28 pins. The Aggies won game four 186-174, opening a 40-pin lead before closing the last game with a 187-205 score and a final pin lead of 22 pins.  

The BearKats came to life in the best-of-seven baker format claiming the first two games 213-155, 183-154 before the Aggies took a 188-155 win in game three. Sam Houston State battled back in games four and five to win 199-168, 230-204 respectively and advancing to the regional championship match.