SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Wichita State closed out the Music City Classic with seven straight victories, rallying to seventh place out of 34 teams in the loaded tournament at Smyrna Bowling Center.
#1 Jacksonville State went undefeated on their way to the team title, besting Sam Houston in the championship match.
The Shockers won all three of their matches in Sunday's bracket play after closing out Saturday's traditional matches with four consecutive wins.
Wichita State faced a gauntlet of opponents in Friday's Baker action, suffering defeats to #2 Vanderbilt, #3 Arkansas State and #5 Louisiana Tech by margins of 28, 51 and 42 pins. Wins over Oklahoma Christian and Lewis sent the Shockers into day two with a 2-3 record and seventh in total pinfall.
After struggling in a 980-880 defeat to #10 Sacred Heart, Wichita State polished off Alabama State (958-873), Jackson State (1,063-971), Aurora (1,087-878) and Marian (898-892) to end the traditional matches with a 4-1 record.
Seeded #10 in the bracket, WSU drew #9 Niagara to get Sunday underway. The Shockers fell into a 3-1 hole, but stormed back with wins of 234-184, 242-189 and 194-174 to snag a 4-3 victory. There was no such drama in round two against UAB, as Wichita State bludgeoned the Blazers, 4-0 (233-159, 207-202, 239-191, 257-193). That set up a showdown with Maryville, and again Wichita State faced a 3-1 deficit before rallying. WSU pulled out close wins of 205-191 and 220-212 to force game seven, then put the Saints away with a 225-189Â decision to claim seventh place.
Madi Phillips highlighted the individual performances for Wichita State with a 278 against Jackson State, establishing a new career high and the sixth-highest traditional game in Wichita State's NCAA program history. Sara Duque Jiménez carded a 245 and a 239 on her way to a 211.6 average, securing 15th place as the Shockers top individual finisher.
Jacksonville State's Gianna Brandolino took home MVP honors with a 231.8 average.
Wichita State ends the regular season with a 73-31 record. The Shockers will compete individually in the Intercollegiate Singles Qualifying this weekend before heading back to Harahan, Louisiana for the Conference USA Championship beginning Wednesday, March 18.