Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

The No. 6-ranked Sam Houston bowling team went unbeaten in five traditional team matches to take over first place after two days in the All State Sugar Bowl Collegiate Bowling Invitational hosted by Tulane in Kenner, La.

The Bearkats will go into Sunday’s best-of-seven baker bracket play the No. 1 with a total pins total of 8,818.

The 5-0 mark Saturday gives the Kats an 8-1 record in dual match play in the event.

The highlight of Saturday’s action was a new Sam Houston team high game set at 1180 highlighted by Becca Pittser’s 279 game.

Friday in quad baker action, Sam Houston defeated Tulane 812-6181, Florida A&M 681-675 and Louisiana Tech 784-724.

No. 9 Stephen F. Austin handed SHSU its only loss of the tournament in a 774-748 decision.

On Saturday, the Kats knocked over Prairie View A&M 1180-978, Alabama State 1024-897, Texas Southern 967-906, Jackson State 940-637 and Bethune-Cookman 923-848.

Sam Houston totaled 3,783 pins on Friday and 5,033 on Saturday.

Stephen F. Austin (7-2 in the tournament) is in second place with 8,817 total pins.

Texas Southern is in third in the 11-team field with 8,555 pins.

“We’re right where we need to be going into the final day,” SHSU head coach Brad Hagen said.

“The Bearkats are defending champions in the Tulane event. Today was a solid day and we made a lot of good shots when needed. We must take today’s momentum and use that straight out of the gate Sunday.”

Sam Houston is the event’s defending champion.

The Kats won 11 of their 12 matches in last year’s event, defeated then No. 2 ranked Arkansas State in the finals.

The SHSU bowlers are one of four nationally ranked squads in the 11-team field at the All Star Lanes in Kenner.