Bowling - Bethune-Cookman Official Athletic Site

Taking on top national competition, the Lady Wildcats finish 23rd after team play

	Demara Marbra led the team with a 184.2 average in Team play (photo by Jim Hogue - www.b-cuphotos.com)

January 31, 2010

Call Bowling Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details - 386.481.2278

READING, Penn. - The Lady Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman Bowling rounded out the weekend at the Kutztown Invitational with Team play on the final two days of the tournament. After opening the tournament with strong performances in Baker play, B-CU faced off with several highly rated teams in Team play. The Lady Wildcats wrapped up Team play with a record of 7-7 and an overall record of 10-8 on the weekend, finishing 23rd.

The Lady Wildcats had a rocky outing on the second day of the Kutztown Invitational, despite several players stepping up their game and scoring above their season averages. B-CU opened play on Saturday with a loss to Adelphi, falling 857-800. B-CU then ran up against a high-performing St. Peters team, who defeated the Lady Wildcats 1045-750.

Up next was conference divisional rival Florida A&M, which B-CU defeated 864-832. The Lady Wildcats have split games with FAMU all season, currently at 2-2 on the year.

Valparaiso University was next on the lineup, defeating B-CU 959-757. Against Delaware State, the Lady Wildcats turned in their best score of the day, but it fell short against the nationall third-ranked Lady Hornets, 1003-903. B-CU closed out the day with a loss to Stevens, 920-817, finishing Saturday with a 1-5 record.

B-CU's top scorer for the second day of competition was Demara Marbra, who played in all six matches, and turned in a 184.2 pins per game average. Marbra's top game score for the day was 213 scored against DSU. Returning to the team for the second semester, Valoori Poovey also played in each match, turning in a 174.33 ppg average and a top score of 201 against Valparaiso. Jazmin Sutherland played in five matches, with a top score of 209 against DSU, and an overall day average of 174.2 ppg average.

The Lady Wildcats returned Sunday to finish out Team play. B-CU saw a boost in their record on the third day of competition, opening with a close victory over Coppin State, winning 644-633. B-CU then defeated Southern 687-669 to round out the regular Team play competition of the tournament.

Following the eighth game of regular competition, the tournament concluded with a playoff round of Baker competition. Initially seeded 22nd, B-CU was matched up with fellow MEAC team, Howard. However, the Lady Bison defeated B-CU with several close games, 4-0. The loss placed B-CU in the 23rd place match against North Carolina Central. The Lady Wildcats took care of the Eagles, 4-1 to claim 23rd place overall and finish the tournament 10-8.

With the conclusion of the tournament, B-CU heads back out on the road for a head-to-head tournament with Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 6-7.

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