WILMINGTON, Del. – The Norfolk State bowling team finished 2-8 over the weekend during the first MEAC regular season meet of the year at Pleasant Hill Lanes.
 
Hosted by Delaware State, the first of two conference meets this year – what ultimately decide the final MEAC standings heading into the tournament – found NSU 2-3 after the first day of traditional play on Saturday. The Spartans struggled, however, on day 2, dropping all five matches in Baker action.
 
The Spartans earned victories over Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. In their second game of the day, they defeated FAMU by a 761-738 margin. In the last game of the afternoon, NSU again won, 795-665 over B-CU. Freshman Crystal Brewer (212) and senior Alexa Rodriguez (204) led the way.
 
Norfolk State opened the day with an 818-743 loss to North Carolina A&T. In between the two victories, the Spartans also dropped contests to Morgan State (900-739) and Delaware State (912-757).
 
Rodriguez averaged 180.8 in all five games on Saturday. She finished tied for ninth in the tournament among players who competed in at least four games. Brewer finished with a 175.8 average, and sophomore Aubrey Conrad was just behind her at 175.6.
 
The Spartans were unable to get going on day 2 on Sunday. In Baker play, they first fell to Coppin State (841-707) and Howard (887-746). Later in the day, NSU succumbed to Monmouth (848-743), Maryland Eastern Shore (865-793) and UAB (793-702). Both Monmouth and UAB joined the conference this year for bowling only.
 
NSU finished in 10^th place in the tournament. Only the top 6 teams in the standings after the second meet in February will advance to the MEAC Championship.
 
UAB went 9-1 to take the early lead in the standings. North Carolina A&T and Maryland Eastern Shore each posted 8-2 records as well.
 
NSU will next compete at the Kutztown Invitational from Jan. 18-20.