ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – For the third time in four seasons, the No. 11 Norfolk State bowling team won the MEAC Southern Division title, as the Spartans went 8-2 at the third and final Southern Divisional of the season this weekend at Ormond Lanes.

NSU finished 24-6 in MEAC play this year, four games ahead of second-place Bethune-Cookman which ended the season with a 20-10 conference record. The Spartans also ran their overall record on the year to 86-36, extending the team's school record for wins in a season.

NSU went 4-1 on Saturday in team play, then posted the same 4-1 mark on Sunday in Baker play to come away with the title. Bethune-Cookman also tallied an 8-2 mark this weekend but could not overcome NSU's four-game lead heading into the tournament.

Sophomore Thea Aspiras had the best weekend among players from the six MEAC Southern Division teams, posting a 201.0 average in all five games on Saturday. Senior Chelsea Krall tallied a 180.4 average in five games, while freshman Carrie Hickey rolled a 181.8 average in four games as well.

Juniors Lauren Graupmann (172.3) and Jessica Overton (168.3) and freshman Kelsea Yarbrough (166.7) each bowled three games for the Spartans, and freshman Delilah Bethel had a 181.5 average in two games.

NSU opened play on Saturday with an 896-697 win over South Carolina State before suffering its only loss of the day to North Carolina Central, 853-846.  The Spartans then defeated Florida A&M, 874-770, and finished up the day with victories over North Carolina A&T (961-763) and Bethune-Cookman (942-831).

The Spartans then continued their winning ways on Sunday, posting four straight wins to open Baker play. NSU got revenge over N.C. Central with a 722-628 win, prior to a 719-704 victory over S.C. State. The team then posted an easy win over N.C. A&T, 732-620, and a narrow victory against FAMU, 719-713. Bethune-Cookman handed the Spartans their second loss of the weekend, 631-615, to cap the tournament.

The Spartans also won the Southern Division title last season with an 18-6 record. NSU earned its first-ever Division title during the 2008-09 season (14-10).

NSU will head to Allentown, Pa., to take part in the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectionals next weekend.