LAUREL, Md. - Ranked 19th in the latest national poll, the Bethune-Cookman bowling team took a third place showing on Sunday as part of the Frederick E. Underwood Tournament at the AMF Laurel Lanes. The Wildcats finished the weekend with a record of 10-3 overall.

Facing fourth-ranked and top-seeded Sam Houston State in the opening match of Sunday's bracket format, the second-seeded B-CU Wildcats trailed in the opener 3-1 before staging a dramatic comeback. The Cats stormed back to tie the game at 3-3, but eventually fell in a heartbreaker to the Bearkats by a 4-3 count.

In their next match, the Wildcats took on MEAC foe North Carolina A&T. B-CU trailed early-on before attempting yet another furious rally to make the game close. The Cats eventually fell to the Aggies in another heartbreaking setback.

In their final match of the afternoon, the Cats swept UAB to take third place for the weekend event hosted by Bowie State University.

According to B-CU head coach Tony O'Neal, Sunday's efforts - and that of the entire weekend - was a team effort, and not just one individual highlighted the success in the team's first tournament in over a month.

"I thought the team bowled hard all weekend and they bowled together as a unit," said O'Neal. "The additions of new assistant coach Charles Thomas and sophomore bowler Rebecca Gomez were a plus in their first weekend as members of the Wildcats family. The team stayed focused after a some tough early goings Sunday, and I'm just proud of the overall effort by everyone."

The Cats will get back to the lanes next weekend as they travel to the KU Invitational hosted by Kutztown in ready, Pa.