High Averages Highlight Opening of MEAC Southern Division

MEAC Southern Division Results (12/1/2012)

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - The 18^th-ranked Bethune-Cookman bowling team went 2-2 on Saturday at the second MEAC Southern Division Tournament of the year, this one hosted by Norfolk State at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake, Va.

Competing in just their second road tournament of the season - and the first since the season-opener at Tulane in New Orleans, La., Bethune-Cookman went 2-2 in its four team matches played on the opening day of the two-day tournament.

The Wildcats were able to collect wins from North Carolina Central and Florida A&M, but fell to North Carolina A&T and Norfolk State, respectively. The Cats bowled 933 in their opening match, followed by scores of 916, 929 and a team-high 977 in their final match.

"I want to stress that we aren't bowling bad at all," said B-CU head coach Tony O'Neal. "The teams we faced today just threw lights-out against us in our losses."

On the day, B-CU averaged 900-plus pins through four matches, including getting 200-plus averages from Staci Hilliard (Port Huron, Mich.), Natalee Armstrong (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Felicia Baker (Marietta, Ga.). Hilliard led all Wildcats with a 205 average, followed by Armstrong (202) and Baker (201).

"When you have three girls average 200-plus on the day, it shows you're doing well," said O'Neal. "Other teams just find a way to bowl great against us, and we have to be able to find a way to counter that."

The tournament continues Sunday with each of the five participating schools taking place in baker matches against each other. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. back at the AMF Lanes.

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