HOUSTON - The 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference bowling champions ended their season falling to SFA 1,558-1,462 in the opening round of the NCAA Bowling Championship on Friday at the Emerald Bowl.

"We had a good season and I'm proud of these young ladies," said head PVAMU bowling coach Glenn White.  "We were nervous, on top of nerves we have a really young team. We will get ready and prepare for next year.  I will have three new additions to the team next year and we should be just as good if not better.  I'm excited about next year's team and what we will be capable of doing."

The championship title was the sixth for Prairie View A&M's bowling team in the past seven years, and is the first for the Lady Panthers since 2015.

PVAMU had to play Jackson State twice in order to earn the crown.  Prairie View A&M went 50-51 on the season with a sparkling 20-4 ledger in conference play on its way to the regular season crown. The Lady Panthers' campaign was highlighted by a litany of individual honors, led by 2018-19 SWAC Bowler of the Year and SWAC Women's Bowling Tournament Most Valuable Bowler Alexes Burton, 2018-19 SWAC Bowling Freshman of the Year Crystal Cline, All-SWAC performer Shirley Kennebrew and All-Tournament performer Jada Davis.

The Ladies opened the day with traditional play falling 843-781.  Match two was the baker format with teams splitting the games 2-2 (155-172, 172-161, 174-211,180-171), but the win ultimately came down to the total pin count and the Lady Jacks moving on to the next round in Cleveland, Ohio. 

To watch the bowling post game interviews and the match click here.

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