SMYRNA, Tenn. – The Sacred Heart University bowling team concluded play at the Music City Classic on Sunday, placing 11th at the 31-time event hosted by Vanderbilt in Smyrna, Tenn.

The No. 12-ranked Pioneers tallied a 5-6 record at the event, recording a 186.3 average to finish 12th in qualifying. SHU met Newman in the first match in the championship bracket, rolling to a 4-2 win to meet No. 9 Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks got the better of the Pioneers by a 4.5-2.5 final score to clinch Sacred Heart's 11th-place showing. 

No. 4 Youngstown State defeated defending national champions No. 2 Jacksonville State in the first-place match, 4-3. No. 10 Maryville, No. 3 Vanderbilt and No. 8 North Carolina A&T State concluded the top five. 

The Pios started the event on Friday with a challenging baker day. SHU played four ranked teams, falling in close contests to No. 11 Louisiana Tech (988-941) and No. 13 Wisconsin-Whitewater (885-864). The Pioneers bounced back by ending the day with a convincing 967-878 victory over Aurora. 

Saturday's traditional games proved better for Sacred Heart as it went 3-2 on the day. The Pioneers defeated No. 19 UAB (1,027-995), Oklahoma Christian (1,010-777) and Jackson State (983-888). SHU added one more traditional win on Sunday, defeating Illinois Wesleyan by an 840-570 final score. 

Hope Bunk led the way for the Pioneers with a 199.83 average in all six traditional games, ranking 20th in the tournament among bowlers who threw all six games. Madilyn Yockel was next with a six-game average of 182.83. Paige Donovan (183.20) in five games and Emma Jones (216.00) in four also had stellar weekends. 

The Pioneers are next scheduled to compete at ISC and ITC nationals which will take place on Apr. 14-19 at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas.