SMYRNA, Tenn. --- For a ninth time in its inaugural season, the Tusculum University women's bowling recorded a win over a nationally-ranked opponent as the Pioneers are competing at the 2020 Columbia 300 Music City Classic. The three-day, 29-team tournament is being held at the Smyrna Bowling Center and hosted by Vanderbilt University.
Tusculum opened the day with a Baker 5-game format victory over 16th-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater as the Pioneers prevailed 997-886.
TU was overpowered in its second match of the day as they faced the top-ranked team in the country in McKendree, who prevailed 1088-762. Tusculum bounced back with a 922-850 win over Spalding University. But losses in its final two matches, falling 934-873 to Drury and closed out day one of the tournament with a tough 907-904 loss to Kentucky Wesleyan.
The Pioneers are in 21st place with 4,385 total pins as TU went 2-3 on the day to move its seasonal-record to 39-52 overall.
McKendree, one of three teams to go a perfect 5-0 on the day, is in first place with 5,307 pins, while host Vanderbilt is second with 5,202 pins. Also going undefeated are Arkansas State as well as seventh-ranked Stephen F. Austin.
The tournament continues on Saturday with traditional scoring games, followed by Sunday's bracket play.