(ARLINGTON, Tex. - Jan. 31) - The McKendree University woman's bowling team successfully defended their title at the Prairie View Invitational this weekend, finishing the tournament with nine total wins.

With their win this weekend, the Bearcats are undefeated in the new year, coming off their win last weekend at the Columbia 300 Saints Invite.

The Bearcats bowled 66 games on the weekend, collecting 4,806 in Baker play, and another 5,004 in traditional play. The Bearcats lead the field in total pins, with a total of 12,979, while averaging 196 pins per game.

After earning the second seed in the championship bracket, the Bearcats fell to Arkansas State University, but managed to emerge against Sam Houston State University with a total pin fall 1,442.

"I'm so proud of how hard our girls worked and how resilient they're becoming," said Head Coach Shannon O'Keefe. "They lost their first match this morning, and they used it to learn and be better"

With their win over Sam Houston State in hand, the Bearcats advanced to the championship match and looked to even the score with Arkansas State.

The Bearcats kept their eyes on the prize in their championship showdown against Arkansas State and avenged their loss earlier that morning and secured the title for the second year in a row.

"In the championship match, they were incredible as a team and threw some great shots in key moments to keep momentum going," said O'Keefe on her team's performance against Arkansas State in the championship match.  

The Bearcats will look to continue their hot start to the new year when they host the McK Baker Challenge at St Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, IL, on Feb. 6 and 7.