Nov. 14, 2009

Call Bowling Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details - 386.481.2278 -

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - The Lady Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman Bowling opened play Saturday morning at Ormond Lanes, hosting one of the three 2009 MEAC Southern Division Tournaments. It was a special event, as B-CU's first-ever hosted bowling tournament, but the Lady Wildcats took advantage of the opportunity to honor two senior Wildcats; Chelsea Squillacote and Kim Roe. B-CU also capitalized on the home crowd and facility to turn in an outstanding performance on the first day, in Team play, going 4-1 on the day.

The Lady Wildcats had a lot of success on the opening day of competition, largely because they maintained focus and stayed in the fight, showing heart, and working together as a team through the ups and downs of each game.

As the day began, the Wildcats recognized their seniors and absorbed the energy from the support of the local crowd. They started off the tournament right, facing Winston-Salem State, and coming away with a solid win, defeating the Lady Rams 784-651.

In the second matchup, B-CU received their only loss of the day, falling to South Carolina State, 915-816, attempting to recover from falling into an early scoring hole, which proved to be too much.

B-CU wrapped up Day 1 with two more close games, both victories, first downing Norfolk State, 852-825, in a back and forth battle. Ultimately, the game came down to the last frame, with every bowler chipping in and pulling spares in the tenth, building off of seven straight strikes to win by 27 pins.

North Carolina A&T turned out to more of a battle than expected, with NCAT making a comeback in the game. B-CU's bowlers came together and buckled down, finishing off the Lady Aggies, 786-758, and wrapping up the first day with a 4-1 record and tied for top spot in the tournament with FAMU.

Senior Kim Roe was steady as usual, showing up to perform, and earning the top spot among individual bowlers with a 198.4 ppg average. Roe recorded a total pinfall of 992 through the five games, scoring her best game against FAMU with 230.

The other Lady Wildcat senior, Chelsea Squillacote finished next for B-CU, turning in a 170 ppg average, tallying 850 pins across the five games and a Day One high of 219.

Demara Marbra finished with a total pinfall of 748 and a 149.6 ppg average, followed by Jazmin Sutherland with 630 pins and a 157.5 ppg average, Melonie Mitchell at 154.5 ppg (618 total), and Ypretycia Crumity at 152.5 ppg (305 total).

So far, the tournament has proven successful for B-CU, with a solid first day, improving on recent performances. The Lady Wildcats have shown growth in each performance this season, opening at the FDU Fright Knight Invite with a 2-12 record, then to last week against the same teams at 5-5, now defeating teams they narrowly lost to in recent games. The players are showing progress as they buy into the new staff's system and become more unified as a team.

That unity will be called upon Sunday morning, as the MEAC Southern Division teams return to Ormond Lanes for Day Two of the tournament, and a day of Baker competition. B-CU looks to continue the improvement trend, finishing 3-2 last week against these teams in Baker play. Play begins at Ormond Lanes at 9:30 a.m.

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