Wildcats Finish Strong at MEAC Southern Division
DeLAND, Fla. – The 20th-ranked Bethune-Cookman bowling team closed out in a big way Sunday afternoon, taking wins in its final two baker matches of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division event. B-CU served as host of the event at Sunshine Bowling Lanes in DeLand, Fla.
In the second MEAC Southern Division event of the 2013-14 campaign, B-CU welcomed fellow Southern Division teams from Florida A&M, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central.
Despite a slow start in Saturday’s traditional matches, the Maroon and Gold bounced back with solid performances throughout Sunday’s four baker matches.
The Cats began the day with a tough 777-765 setback to North Carolina A&T. In that contest, B-CU missed three opportunities in the final game, coming up short on three separate one-pin spare attempts. Ultimately, those shortcomings led to the 12-pin defeat to the Lady Aggies.
B-CU then took on No. 15 Norfolk State, falling by a score of 767-691.
NSU would go on to finish the weekend with a perfect 8-0 record, followed by North Carolina A&T with a 6-2 mark.
The Wildcats regrouped after their open match, turning in a 750-634 victory over Florida A&M, followed by an intense and spirited match with North Carolina Central to conclude the day.
Two of the most spirited groups in the MEAC Southern Division – B-CU and NCCU – took to the lanes in a competitive match throughout. In the latter two games, it was the Wildcats using timely strikes and spares to walk away with a hard-fought 773-725 victory.
Overall, the Wildcats finished the weekend 3-5, and used a total pinfall count of 6,603. That was just 16 pins back of N.C. A&T (6,719). In baker matches, B-CU scored 2,979 pins, pitting them second in that category for baker format.
NCCU was also 3-5 on the weekend with 6,394 pins. FAMU finished 0-8 with 6,210 total pins.
Bethune-Cookman bowling will now break for the winter holidays, as the Cats return to the lanes on January 24-26, traveling to compete in the annual Kutztown Invitational in Reading, Pa.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
NCCU defeats nationally-ranked BCU at second MEAC Southern Division Tournament
DeLAND, Fla. – The North Carolina Central University women’s bowling team defeated the nationally-ranked No. 20 Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University at the second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division bowling tournament on Dec. 7-8 in DeLand, Fla.
In a highly-competitive match, the Lady Eagles defeated Bethune-Cookman, 966-918.
The two-day competition was hosted by the 20th-ranked Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman and included four other bowling programs: No. 15 Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, and NCCU. As a team, NCCU completed the weekend with a 3-5 overall record, giving them a fourth place finish.
During the traditional matches on day one, the Lady Eagles posted a 2-2 record. In addition to defeating BCU, NCCU earned a victory over Florida A&M, 988-862, while falling to Norfolk State, 984-838, and in-state rival North Carolina A&T, 916-855.
On day two, NCCU struggled during the baker games, ending with a 1-3 record. The Lady Eagles only victory of the day came against Florida A&M, 659-631. They were defeated by North Carolina A&T, 690-662, Norfolk State, 757-701, and Bethune-Cookman, 773-725.
The Lady Eagles were led by freshman Rachael Johnson, who finished fifth among overall individual bowlers. Johnson ended the weekend with a four-game average of 197, including a game high of 244. Johnson cleared a total of 788 pins.
The other top bowlers for NCCU were Kourtney Rodez and Rae’Shelle Drayton, who finished 10th and 12th respectively among individual bowlers. Rodez cleared 757 pins with a game-high of 204 and an average of 189.25. Drayton averaged 184.75, clearing 739 total pins and game high of 193.
As a team, the Lady Eagles cleared a total of 6,394 pins during the tournament.
NCCU bowling will return to the lanes on Jan. 17-19 after the winter holidays, as participants in the Frederick E. Underwood Bowling Invitational in Laurel, Md.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Maryland Eastern Shore ends 2013 with 10-0 weekend
HAMPTON, Va.--The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s (UMES) women’s bowling team ended 2013 with a perfect weekend, posting a 10-0 record against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) Northern Division teams this past weekend in Hampton, Va. The wins move the Hawks to 40-5 overall and 19-1 in league play.
The Hawks opened Saturday afternoon with team games and set the bar high in their opening win over Howard, a 1060-663 trouncing of the Bison. They would then see rival Delaware State (DSU). The Hornets handed UMES their only conference loss this season, but a repeat performance wasn’t to be as the Hawks cruised 972-845. UMES rounded out the day with wins over Morgan State (971-857), Coppin State (1063-698) and host Hampton (874-717).
Freshman sensation Sara Pelayo was on fire for the Hawks. Pelayo opened with a 233 against Howard and added 200 plus games against Morgan State (215) and Coppin State (243). She just missed a fourth with a 199 against DSU. IN all she tallied a 1060 over five games to average an impressive 212 on the day.
Lone senior Megan Buja wasn’t far behind her, tallying a 1016 over her five games to average over a 203. She posted plus 200 games against Howard (236), Delaware State (214) and Coppin State (221). All-American Mariana Alvarado held her own totaling a 989 over her five games to average just under a 198. She posted a 246 against Coppin State for her best game of the day.
Valerie Riggin also bowled all five games and tallied a 962 to average over a 192. She posted a 207 against Morgan State, her best game of the day. Freshman Justyne Falbo and junior Victoria Jones shared time as the fifth bowler. Falbo saw action in four games, her best being a 206 against Howard while Jones saw action in three with her best a 173 against Hampton.
Starting early Sunday morning UMES bowled four-game Baker sets. The Hawks entered the day having not lost a Baker format game this season and the streak would continue. They opened with a 711-635 win over Delaware State and rolled downhill from there. They would top Howard 769-530, Coppin State 742-625, Hampton 723-542 and Morgan State 858-632.
All six Hawks in uniform saw action with the lineup of Buja, Falbo, Riggin, Pelayo and Alvarado starting off the first two matches. It rearranged to Pelayo, Falbo, Riggin, Buja and Alvarado by the third game with Jones subbing in for all three matches. In the final pair Jones had worked her way into the lineup for Pelayo who saw action as a substitute in both as well.
With the wins, the Hawks are now 21-1 against conference opponents this season.
This was the final meet for UMES in 2013. They will return to the lanes January 24-26, 2014 in Reading, Pa. at the Kutztown Invitational.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com