DELAND, Fla. – The No. 20 Norfolk State bowling team finished with a 7-1 record over the weekend at the MEAC Southern Divisional hosted by Bethune-Cookman at the Sunshine Bowling Center.
The Spartans posted a 4-0 record on Saturday during traditional play and a 3-1 mark on Sunday in Baker games to run their season conference record to 13-3. After the second of three divisionals on the year, NSU now has a two-game lead over second-place North Carolina A&T (11-5).
NSU averaged 181.0 per game for the two-day event, slightly ahead of North Carolina A&T (180.8). The Spartans were able to take control of the division after the Aggies went 5-3. N.C. A&T had been tied with NSU after the first divisional. Bethune-Cookman, meanwhile, posted a 4-4 record this weekend, while Hampton and Florida A&M each carded 2-6 records.
Senior
Carrie Hickey played a big part on Saturday, posting a 200.8 average in all four games to finish second among all bowlers at the meet. Three other bowlers averaged above 180 for NSU, including sophomore
Briana Gardner (184.5) and freshmen
Yarelis Burgos (183.3) and
Alexa Rodriguez (181.8). Sophomore
Meagan Marciano rounded out NSU's lineup in all four games.
The weekend began against NSU's biggest school rival, Hampton, and the Spartans got off on a strong note with a 902-820 victory. They then knocked off N.C. A&T, 926-888, and also topped Florida A&M in a tiebreaker. The two teams were tied at 879-all after all five bowlers finished, but NSU got the victory thanks to its tiebreaker win.
Then in the fourth game, Rodriguez rolled a 235 as the Spartans won by a narrow 898-891 margin over Bethune-Cookman. NSU had a bye in the final round.
The Spartans also had a bye to start Baker play on Sunday, which was followed by a 970-849 triumph over Bethune-Cookman. NSU rolled to a 936-805 win over Florida A&M before suffering its only defeat of the weekend, 955-833 against N.C. A&T. The Spartans and Aggies have now split their four meetings in divisional play so far this season.
The Spartans also closed out the tournament with an 897-788 takedown of Hampton. For the day, NSU averaged 181.8 in Baker games.
The Spartans will next play after the turn of the calendar, beginning first with the Lady Bulldog Classic hosted by Bowie State from Jan. 15-17.
