ALTOONA, Pa. – The Norfolk State bowling team earned a sixth-place finish on Sunday to close out the three-day Red Flash Invitational hosted by Saint Francis (Pa.) this weekend at Holiday Bowl.
 
The Spartans went 2-3 on the first day of competition before bouncing back to win all four matches on Saturday in traditional play. NSU fell twice on Sunday during the three rounds of bracket play to finish sixth out of the 17 teams at the tournament. Norfolk State ended the weekend with an overall 7-5 record.
 
The Spartans were seeded fifth after the first two days of action, averaging 179.7 during the first 10 matches (including a bye) between both Baker and traditional play. Senior Briana Gardner played a big role for NSU on Saturday, averaging 202.8 in five games to finish just outside the top 5 in terms of individual average and just miss out on an all-tournament team berth.
 
Her first of four 200 games allowed the Spartans to open with a 907-784 win over Saint Peter's. Junior Alexa Rodriguez rolled a 208 in the win, part of a 194.8 average for the day in all five games.
 
Senior Meagan Marciano added a 203 in the second match, an 898-806 victory against Saint Vincent College. After the bye, the Spartans topped Medaille College, 952-876, before defeating Medaille again, 930-879.
 
Freshman McKayla Lang averaged 178.6, and Marciano finished at 171.8 in all five games. Sophomore Aubrey Conrad rolled a 169.5 average in four games, with sophomore Heizel Quinones tallying a 169 in the final game of the day.
 
Friday began with the Spartans falling to Felician, 900-891, and then No. 23 Lincoln Memorial, 931-782. Norfolk State did bounce back, earning victories over Mount Aloysius College, 930-841, and then Wilmington University, 904-869.
 
Morgan State then came away with a 936-892 triumph over the Spartans to close out the day.
 
Two days later, NSU began the bracket round against No. 6 seed Kutztown. The Bears won the last three games of the best-of-5 series for a 4-1 victory over the Spartans. Moving on to the next round, NSU and Medaille tied in the first game before the Spartans won the next three. Medaille won game 5 to stay alive before the Spartans claimed a 180-165 win in the sixth game to win the match, 4.5-1.5.
 
The fifth-sixth place match found the Spartans taking on Caldwell. After NSU won game 2, Caldwell won the last three for a 4-1 victory.
 
Lincoln Memorial claimed the team championship, while host Saint Francis came in second place.
 
The Spartans will next compete at the James Brown Invitational hosted by Morgan State on Feb. 16-18.