Jonesboro, Ark. — Youngstown State's bowling team prevailed through a gauntlet of long matches against top-four opponents on Sunday to post a 3-0 record on the final day of the Mid-Winter Invitational.

The Penguins were fifth after two days of qualifying, and they elevated two spots on Sunday to finish third. Youngstown State outlasted No. 4 Arkansas State, the event's host, No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Vanderbilt in best of seven matches that each went the duration.

YSU earned a third-place trophy for its highest finish ever at the event, and Jade Côté was recognized as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

"The lanes played quite a bit different today and the lane differences seemed more pronounced, and the ladies did an outstanding job making quality shots and communicating, which empowered us to hang tough across three seven-game matches," YSU head coach Doug Kuberski said. "When we bowl as one and plug in together like we did today, we channel positive energy for each other and empower each other."

"We are excited to use the next few weeks to rest and put in the work on and off the lanes to continue elevating across the board."

YSU built 3-2 leads in each of its three matches on Sunday before holding on to win 4-3. The Penguins battled through not having lane choice in game seven in their final two wins.

Against the fourth-ranked Red Wolves, the Penguins won games two, four and five to take the lead in the match. YSU lost 254-248 in game six, but it came back to win game seven 218-199. That ended up being the closest deciding game.

YSU then fired a 255 in game one against No. 1 Nebraska, and it split games four and five by a total of five pins to take a 3-2 lead in the match. The Huskers stayed alive by shooting 237 in game six, but YSU had a 242 in a 52-pin victory in game seven.

In the match to decide third and fourth, the Penguins followed the same script against No. 2 Vanderbilt. YSU won three times on lane 24 with scores of 258, 235 and 269, and Vanderbilt won three times on the same lane. In game seven, the Penguins earned the first win on lane 23 with a 217-154 margin.

Wichita State went 3-0 on Sunday to climb from fourth to first for the final placings. Jacksonville State finished at the tournament's runner-up.

Youngstown State's final regular season tournament will be Vanderbilt's Music City Classic on March 14-16 in Smyrna, Tenn.