GREENSBORO, N.C. --- The Tusculum University women's bowling team is in ninth place following day one action of the inaugural Vernell Stallings Invitational, which is being hosted by North Carolina A&T at the AMF All-Star Lanes.
Despite going winless on Friday in its five Baker 5-Game matches, the Black & Orange still totaled 4,512 pins and are in ninth in the 12-team tournament. Tusculum faced a challenging first day slate taking on five nationally-ranked programs including the host Aggies, who are eighth in the nation.
The Pioneers battled A&T down to the end before falling 1042-1019 in the day's final match.
Tusculum opened with a 945-890 loss to 17th-ranked Louisiana Tech and followed with a loss to No. 21 Mount St. Mary's (1022-781). No. 15 Delaware State won the third match of the day over TU 1104-925. The Pioneers then lost to No. 7 Maryland Eastern Shore by a count of 1010-897.
Tusculum (19-24) will play five traditional matches on Saturday as the Pioneers face Texas Southern, Howard University, No. 13 Lincoln Memorial, Coppin State and No. 19 UAB. TU will close out the second round of matches on Sunday versus Prairie View A&M.