Bowling | 10/14/2024 2:49:00 PM

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Freshmen Blessing Lawrence and Shenae Harrison led the Coppin State bowling team to a 12^th place finish at the season-opening Bud Whitman Memorial, held over the weekend at Bowlerama.  Finishing just behind the Eagles were Long Island University and Molloy University while #20 Fairleigh Dickinson took the team title, just ahead of #18 Sacred Heart.
 
A native of Providence, R.I., Lawrence averaged 18.90 pins per frame in traditional play with an 84.0% overall fill percentage, 20 strikes and converted on 84.6% of her makeable spares. Lawrence totaled 945 pins for a 189.00 average to finish 23^rd of 115 bowlers in the individual standings. 
 
Lawrence opened the Tournament with a team-high 172 in a loss to the nationally ranked Knights before rolling a 209 in an 820-715 win against LIU. Following a loss to Wilmington, Lawrence closed out traditional play with a 193 in a 955-771 victory over Holy Family and a weekend-best 215 in a Bye.
 
In Baker style matches, Harrison, a native of Chesterfield, Va., led the Eagles with 19.15 pins/frame, an 87.5% overall fill percentage, 19 strikes and converted on 84.6% of makeable spares. The Eagles fell to Caldwell, 883-847, Dominican, 825-813, and Felician, 858-774. Coppin concluded the Tournament with a 4-1 loss to Caldwell, and a 4-0 loss to Saint Anselm in bracket play.
 
Sophomore Victoria Davis closed the tournament strong with a 186 against Holy Family and 199 in the Bye and accumulated 840 pins for a 168.00 average. 
 
Sophomore Shakyia Johnson (46^th, 818, 163.60), Harrison (47^th, 815, 163.00) and freshman Abigail Brockington (49^th, 800, 160.00) rounded out Coppin's lineup for the weekend. The trio all had their best match against Holy Family with Harrison rolling a 204, followed by Brockington with a 188 and Johnson with a 184.
 
The Eagles return to the lanes on October 25-27 for the Virginia Union Invitational, held at Bowl America Southwest in Midlothian, Va.