GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 19 Norfolk State bowling team kicked off conference play in strong fashion, finishing in first place over the weekend at the MEAC Southern Divisional at Gate City Lanes and hosted by North Carolina A&T.

The Spartans posted a 7-3 record on the weekend, finishing ahead of Florida A&M and North Carolina Central, both of whom had 6-4 marks. FAMU had a 5-0 record on the first day in the team format round, but went just 1-4 in the Baker games Sunday as NSU surged ahead.

South Carolina State (5-5), North Carolina A&T (4-6) and Bethune-Cookman (2-8) rounded out the field of play.

Following an 8-2 weekend in the first tournament of the season on Oct. 30-31, the Spartans now own an overall record of 15-5 on the young season.

At the Southern Divisional, the Spartans posted a 3-2 mark on Saturday in the team format play, defeating South Carolina State, 927-814, North Carolina A&T, 932-737, and Bethune-Cookman, 830-768.

NSU had its worse showing of the day in an 870-803 loss to Florida A&M, and finished just short against North Carolina Central, 851-846.

In the Baker games Sunday, NSU earned a 4-1 mark on the day. After falling to S.C. State in the first match, 746-674, NSU stormed back to win the last four. The Spartans picked up wins over FAMU, 793-654, and N.C. A&T, 738-653.

NSU survived a close one against B-CU, 679-661, and then capped off the tournament with a 700-650 victory over NCCU.

Junior Sheila-Marie Smith had the top overall pinfall during the team format round, totaling 916 pins for a 183.2 average in five games, including the top single game by a Spartan on the day, 209.

Freshman Thea Aspiras was right behind Smith with an average of 181.6, while junior Chelsea Krall bowled all five games and averaged 175.8. Senior Antoinette Drakeford rolled a 205 and posted a 181.0 average in three games, while sophomore Jessica Overton rolled the other two games for a 156.5 average.

Sophomore Lauren Graupmann averaged 155.8 in five games as well.

NSU will take part in the UMES Hawk Classic Friday through Sunday in Millsboro, Del.