The Saint Vincent women's bowling team fell short in the championship match of the Br. Pat Lacey Memorial Tournament, hosted by the Bearcats at Lincoln Lanes in Latrobe.

SVC senior Jessica Guesman was named Tournament MVP, one of three Bearcats named to the All Tournament Team.

The Bearcats rolled through the competition in the first four rounds of the event, holding the #1 seed in the Championship game, against #2 Daemen College, the tournament's defending champs.  The Bearcats jumped to an early 20-pin lead, but the guests dominated the later portion of the game, pulling away to a 910-808 victory and the team title.

The day started for SVC with a matchup against Pitt-Greensburg.  Sophomore Jackie Koehler led the team with a 195 on the tough 35-foot short oil pattern.  It was the highest game of any bowler in the first game.  The Bearcats defeated UPG by a score of 824-717.

Next, the Bearcats drew Daemen, and it was all SVC in the first meeting of the day between the teams.  Guesman shot a 225, which would prove to be the highest game by any bowler in the tournament.  Abby Kyle added a 181, while Mercedes Belch (176), Jackie Koehler (175) and Monique Koehler (174) rounded out the scoring, as SVC won 931-804.  SVC's 931 was the highest total by any team in a single game for the afternoon.

The Bearcats faced Penn State-Behrend in the third match, cruising to a 105-pin victory, 883-778.  Guesman again topped the 200 mark (209), while Belch finished with a 199.  

In game four, the final round to set seeding for the finals, SVC and Pitt-Bradford were even through the first half of the game, but the Bearcats pulled away late to an 829-688 win.  Olivia Emmonds led the team with a 186.

That set the stage for the rematch with Daemen, and the Wildcats had a strong middle portion of the game to erase the early deficit and build a lead that SVC could not overcome.  Monique Koehler led all scorers in the game with a 200.

For the day, Guesman averaged 188.7 to earn Tournament MVP honors.  She was joined on the All Tournament Team by Belch (2nd) at 175.2, and Monique Koehler (4th, 172.2).  Alex Hasiotis of Daemen was third (173.0) while Jordyn Graham (Pitt-Bradford) and Kayla Gaughan (Pitt-Greensburg) tied for fifth at 169.2.  The three 200+ scores by the Bearcats were the only 200 games of the entire tournament.

As a team, Saint Vincent led the scoring with a 171.0 average, while Daemen was second at 165.3.

Saint Vincent is now 28-8 on the season.  

PHOTO:  Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College President, presented the awards at the conclusion of the tournament.