CROYDON, Pa. --- The Tusculum University women's bowling team recorded an impressive 4-1 record on Friday including two upset victories over nationally-ranked teams in day one action of the 2020 Northeast Invitational. The three-day, 26-team tournament is being co-hosted by Sacred Heart University and Long Island University at the AMF Bristol Pike Lanes.
The Pioneers (29-27) opened the day with four consecutive victories, starting with an 812-783 win over fellow East Coast Conference foe Chestnut Hill. Tusculum followed with a 979-915 win over seventh-ranked North Carolina A&T, marking the program's first-ever victory over top-10 opponent.
The Pioneers won by just six pins in TU's 820-814 victory over St. Francis-Brooklyn to even the season-series at 2-2 with the Terriers. Tusculum knocked off its second ranked foe of the day and sixth of the season with an 803-786 decision over No. 17 Fairleigh Dickinson. TU's bid for a perfect day was halted with a 923-808 loss to ECC member and 21st-ranked Adelphi.
Tusculum is currently tied for 19th place in the tournament with 4,322 total pins. The 26-team tournament field includes 17 nationally-ranked programs including seven in the top-10. TU was one of only seven teams to win four or more matches on Friday.
Day two of the tournament will be held Saturday with the Pioneers playing five traditional scoring matches against No. 19 Sacred Heart, No. 14 Delaware State, No. 6 Maryland Eastern Shore, Howard and LIU.
Tusculum previous wins over ranked opponents have come against Lincoln Memorial (twice), Delaware State and Tulane, all of which are still listed in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Poll.
