CHESAPEAKE, Va. – The NSU women's bowling team posted its second consecutive 7-3 record this weekend at the MEAC Southern Division tournament at the AMF Chesapeake Lanes. The Spartans went 6-2 in conference play to take over first place in the MEAC Southern Division through two conference competitions.

NSU, which improved to 14-6 overall and 11-5 in MEAC play on the season, went 4-1 in Saturday's team games and 3-2 in Sunday's baker games. The Spartans, who entered the weekend tied with Florida A&M and South Carolina State at 5-3 in divisional play, moved into first place with a 673-612 four-game total pinfall win over the Lady Rattlers in Sunday's final game.

The Spartans earned wins over Winston-Salem State (864-640), Bethune-Cookman (848-796), South Carolina State (912-898) and FAMU (813-764) in Saturday's team games. NSU's only loss was to North Carolina A&T, 886-772. Lacey Smith (Oklahoma City, Okla.) was the high bowler for the Spartans on Saturday. Smith rolled a 901 for her five-game series, including a high of 201 in the win over FAMU. Her average was the third highest among the MEAC bowlers on Saturday.

NSU's 912-898 win over SCSU marked NSU's highest pin total for a team game this season. Smith bowled a 183, Cathryn Myrick (Virginia Beach, Va.) a 195, Antoinette Drakeford (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) a 172, Tiffany Hunt(Norfolk, Va.) a 163 and Heather Grant(Virginia Beach, Va.) a team-high 199 in the win over the Lady Bulldogs.

Myrick averaged a 173 in her five games, eighth-highest of the day. Drakeford averaged 169 in her three games, Hunt a 168.3 in her four, and Grant a 167.6 in her five games.

On Sunday, NSU got off to a slow start in the baker games with losses to WSSU (684-632) and Bethune-Cookman (662-657). The Spartans appeared to be headed for an 0-3 start, falling behind N.C. A&T by nine pins after the first three of the four games. But NSU rallied with a 170-143 win in the final game against the Lady Aggies to win in total pins, 646-628. Myrick came up with several key shots in that win.

The Spartans rode that momentum to comfortable wins over SCSU (670-541) and FAMU (673-612) in Sunday's final two matches to run their baker record to 8-2 on the season.

NSU now has a month break for exams and the holiday season before returning to action in the final MEAC Southern Division meet of the year at FAMU on Jan. 10-11.

Weekend Records
NSU 7-3 (6-2 MEAC / 3-2 baker)
FAMU 7-3 (5-3 MEAC / 3-2 baker)
N.C. A&T 6-4 (5-3 MEAC / 4-1 baker)
Bethune-Cookman 6-4 (4-4 MEAC / 3-2 baker)
WSSU 3-7 (0-0 MEAC / 2-3 baker)*
SCSU 1-9 (0-8 MEAC / 0-5 baker)

* Results do not count in MEAC standings