LINCOLN, Neb. – Wichita State shook off a series of tough-luck losses to defeat two of the nation's top teams and win the Big Red Invite on Sunday afternoon at Hollywood Bowl.

The tournament title is the 252^nd in program history and the second of the 2025-26 season.

For much of the weekend, it was a frustrating trip to Lincoln for the Shockers (64-27). Wichita State went just 3-8 over the first two days of matches, plus the final traditional match on Sunday morning. Among those eight losses, WSU fell by margins of two pins (twice), 10 pins, 22 pins and 36 pins. But despite the results, the Shockers continued to post strong scores, carding a 977 or better in all matches and seven matches of 1,000 or better.

Those scores allowed Wichita State to earn the #3 seed heading into bracket play and a matchup with #2-seed and host Nebraska in the first round. After dropping a 203-176 decision in the opening game and then tying 233-233, the Shockers caught fire to win the next four games: 211-205, 180-159, 264-178 and 289-196.

The 4.5-1.5 win set the stage for a championship showdown with #1-ranked Jacksonville State, who had won 36 consecutive matches and lost just eight times the entire season. The Shockers and Gamecocks traded wins, with Jax State taking games 1, 3 and 5 to grab a 3-2 advantage. Wichita State stayed alive with a 268-224 win in game six, then delivered the knockout blow in a decisive game seven, crushing the Gamecocks 279-192 to secure the title.

Nebraska's Jillian Martin took home MVP honors with a 232.67 average. The Shockers were led individually by Ashtyn Woods, who placed 13^th at 207.17. Sara Duque Jimenez checked in 16^th with a 203.5 average and Aleesha Oden placed 21^st, averaging 198.33. Beau Anderson averaged 216.0 in her four games, including a 244. Duque Jiménez fired a 247 for the Shockers top individual score of the tournament.

Wichita State is off next weekend before finishing the regular season at the Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tennessee. The tournament, hosted by Vanderbilt, begins Friday, March 6 and concludes Sunday, March 8.