LAUREL, Md. - No. 19 Bethune-Cookman bowling rolled its way to a 4-1 start and a second place showing after the opening day of the Frederick E. Underwood Tournament at the AMF Laurel Lanes in Laurel, Md. Bowie State out of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is the host for this weekend's event.

After a month away from competition, the Wildcats came out rolling hot to begin the three-day tournament.

Friday's matches consisted of five quad baker matches, with the Cats defeating teams from Bowie State, Coppin State, Howard and Morgan State; while falling only to North Carolina Central, respectively.

"I thought we bowled well today," said B-CU head coach Tony O'Neal. "We were still a little inconsistent with our spares, but I'm pleased with today's showing. We're finally starting to bowl like the team I know we're capable of being later in the season."

B-CU posted three matches with a 750-plus pin count - including the second-best total of the day with an 890 registered against Morgan State. After the first day of competition, the Wildcats are sitting just behind fellow nationally-ranked foe Sam Houston State - holing a pin total of 4,023 - heading into Saturday's competition. B-CU has a pin count of 3,882.

Key bowlers for the Cats on the opening day were Staci Hilliard and Felicia Baker, while teammates Rachel Moore, Natalee Armstrong and newcomer Rebecca Gomez also had solid opening-day performances, according to head coach Tony O'Neal.

Saturday's format includes five traditional matches against teams from Chowan, Lincoln (Pa.), North Carolina A&T, Virginia State and Salem International.

"I'm excited about the opportunity for the girls to bowl individual games tomorrow, and I'll have the chance to get a better look at them as they bowl a complete game," continued O'Neal. "Tomorrow will give them a chance to get adjusted to the lane conditions and compete in a traditional setting."

Sunday's portion of the tournament will be a bracket format, as each team plays three matches - and seeding will be based on the first two day's overall pin count.

Action continues back at the AMF Lanes in Laurel beginning at 10 a.m.

For more information, please visit BSUbulldogs.com.