Birmingham, AL -- After completing the regular season with a 9-0 record, the Texas Southern University women's bowling team put the icing on the cake. The Lady Tigers beat defending champion, Southern University, to win the 1999-2000 Southwestern Athletic Conference Bowling Championship in Montgomery, Ala.

The Lady Tigers won the league's third-ever title by out-bowling SU by 184 pins. TSU bowled a total of 3007 pins, while the Lady Jags bowled 2823 pins. They finished the season with a perfect 10-0 record.

"I felt they were destiny's children," said TSU head coach Robert Powell. "They were destined for big things."

Southern topped Texas Southern in singles (725-661), then succumbed to the Lady Tigers in doubles (687-714) and bakers (191-216). TSU received a berth to the championship game by beating conference newcomer, Alabama A&M. The Lady Tigers won in singles (618-515), doubles (566-519), then lost in bakers (205-216).

"They stayed focused and went through a lot of hard work and preparation this season," Powell said. "After losing a close one last year, they were determined to take it all this year."

Southern defeated the Lady Hornets of Alabama State to be in the championship game. The Lady Jags won in singles (624-527), doubles (626-485) and bakers (188-174).

Despite losing to Texas Southern, Beverly Burns of Southern University was named tournament MVP. Burns, a sophomore from Sierra Vista, Ariz., had a two day combined score of 2577.

She was joined on the all-tournament team by fellow teammate Michelle Rangel who bowled 2319. Nikki Battistoni (2253), Kristy Blevins (2349) and Heather Jones (2435), all from Texas Southern, also were named to the team.