HARAHAN, La. – Jacksonville State claimed the 2026 Conference USA Bowling Championship title Sunday afternoon in Harahan, Louisiana following a well contested match against Arkansas State.
 
Leading up to the day of the championship, both teams played their way through the winner’s bracket before meeting for the first time in match 19 Saturday morning. The Gamecocks were able to complete a 2-0 sweep to send Arkansas State to the contender’s bracket where they were faced with Louisiana Tech. To advance, the Red Wolves were able to hold off the Bulldogs with a 2-1 victory.
 
The championship match, featuring the Gamecocks and the Red Wolves, opened with Jax State claiming the traditional point (1080-990). However, Arkansas State would not go quietly, securing the point in Baker’s play (1082-1071) and forcing the best-of-seven game.
 
The two teams continued their back-and-forth battle in the best-of-seven tiebreaker. Jax State took the first game, but the Red Wolves responded with three straight points to take a 3-1 lead over their opponent. The Gamecocks were able to get one back in game five, but Arkansas State took game six to secure the tiebreaker point and hand the Gamecocks their first loss of the tournament. With the upset, the Red Wolves forced the if-necessary match 23 to determine the champion.
 
Match 23 was played in the form of the Baker best-of-seven round. Arkansas State took the first point, however, game two resulted in a tie at 217 pins apiece, giving both teams a half point. It remained a tight match through the final game, with the two teams once again tying at 3.5 points. As a result, the match went into another required tiebreaker, played as a modified baker round where the two teams started in the sixth frame and played through the tenth. Jax State was able to clinch the title in the modified baker round, putting an end to the back-and-forth battle.
 
Following the conclusion of the match, the Gamecocks’ Gianna Brandolino was named the Tournament Most Valuable Bowler. In addition, she was named to the All-Tournament Team alongside teammates Erin Klemncic and Kaitlyn Stull, Arkansas State’s Malaya Chavez and Maggie Thoma, and Louisianna Tech’s Rachel Ong.  
 
With the win, Jax State has secured an automatic NCAA championship berth.
 
2026 CUSA All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Bowler – Gianna Brandolino, Jax State
Mayala Chavez, Arkansas State
Maggie Thoma, Arkansas State
Erin Klemencic, Jax State
Kaitlyn Stull, Jax State
Rachel Ong, LA Tech
 
Championship Results
Match 22 – No. 3 Arkansas State 2 (990-1082-4), No. 1 Jax State 1 (1080-1071-2)
Match 23 (if necessary) – No. 1 Jax State 4.5, Arkansas State 3.5
 
Up Next
Teams will await the 2026 NCAA bowling championship selection show which will stream on NCAA.com on Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. CT. 19 teams will be selected, including 11 automatic qualifiers and eight at-large selections. Regional matches will begin April 2, and the NCAA Championships will take place April 10-11 in Cleveland, Ohio.