GREENSBORO, N.C. – A strong second day of competition propelled the Norfolk State bowling team to a second-place finish at the MEAC Southern Divisional this weekend at Gate City Lanes. NSU finished 6-4 overall, tied with North Carolina Central and one game behind Bethune-Cookman, which posted a 7-3 record to lead the two-day event.

The Spartans were able to rebound in Baker play on Sunday, posting a 4-1 record, a day after opening the tournament 2-3 in team play. South Carolina State went 5-5 over the weekend, while Florida A&M (4-6) and North Carolina A&T (2-8) rounded out the standings.

The meet was the first of three Southern Divisionals that will be held this year, with the second set for Dec. 3-4 in Orangeburg, S.C.

The return of sophomore Thea Aspiras to the lineup Sunday proved to be key, as NSU rallied after dropping the first match to North Carolina Central, 4 games to 2. After falling behind 3-1, the Spartans won the last three games against Bethune-Cookman for a 4-3 win, including a narrow 152-151 win in the sixth game. NSU then took care of A&T, 4-0, and S.C. State, 4-1.

In the last match of the weekend, FAMU and NSU went back-and-forth, and the Spartans eventually took the tiebreaker, 88-81, for the 4-3 win. The teams had tied in the third game, 182-182, to force the tiebreaker.

On Saturday, NSU fell to Bethune-Cookman, 953-935, to open play despite a 223 from senior Chelsea Krall. The Spartans followed that up with an 890-835 win over N.C. Central before dropping their next two matches, 904-892 to FAMU and 801-762 to A&T. A 207 from freshman Kelsea Yarbrough propelled NSU to an 843-787 victory over S.C. State in the final match of the day.

Krall led the team and finished third at the tournament with a 189.0 average in those five games, while Yarbrough ranked fifth at the tournament with a 187.0 average. Junior Jessica Overton also bowled all five games and rolled a 184.8 average.

With Aspiras out of the lineup Saturday, freshman Delilah Bethel rolled four games and carried a 153.0 average, while freshman Courtney Brown bowled three times and posted a 166.0 average. Freshman Ashley Buck bowled two games on Saturday, and freshman Courtney Williford rolled one game as well.

NSU will compete this weekend at the Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del., hosted by UMES. Action gets underway Friday.