NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University bowling team opened its 2022-23 season with a come-from-behind team championship at the Bud Whitman Memorial Tournament on Sunday, defeating Molloy, 4-2, to take the crown at Bowlerama.
The Wildcats went a perfect 5-0 on Sunday in Baker format matches, coming back to win after sitting in fourth place following Saturday's five traditional format matches. Following dual matches, the Wildcats were 7-2 and slid into the championship match by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreakers.
In the best-of-seven championship match, the Wildcats found themselves down 1-0 and 2-1 before rallying to win the final three games, including a decisive 218-171 win in game six to seal the deal over Molloy.
The Sunday comeback started with a 977-747 win over Howard. The Wildcats then made a late-game comeback over nationally ranked No. 11 Mount St. Mary's, 939-935. The Wildcats were down 40 pins after four games, but won the final set, 246-201, to come back and win. The Wildcats then defeated Kutztown with their best output of the day, 1,010-891, and finished the five-game Baker matches with a win over nationally No. 12 Delaware, 1,004-839.
Saturday featured five Traditional Matches for the Wildcats, as they went 3-2 to sit in fourth place overall. The Wildcats got off to a slow start, falling to Molloy, 947-850, in the opener. They defeated Pitt-Greensburg, 776-686, but then fell to Caldwell, 851-761. The regrouped in the second half of the day, ending Saturday with back-to-back wins, first against Coppin State, 965-951, and then Chestnut Hill, 887-869.
Playing in her first collegiate tournament, Carolece Henry paced the Wildcats while finishing 15th overall with a 914 five-match total. She had a day's best 211 in the win over Pitt-Greensburg, but also bowled a 204 against Chestnut Hill. She finished with a 182.80 average.
Sydney Jones was the only other Wildcat to bowl all five matches, finishing in 24th overall with a 168.60 average. She bowled a day's high 189 against Chestnut Hill and had a 183 in the opening match against Molloy. She finished with an 843 total pinfall.
KC Miller bowled a 169.75 four-match average on Saturday, finishing with a day's high 194 against Coppin State. CC Riojas had the best match for the Wildcats against Molloy with a 202, finishing Saturday with a four-match total of 641 for a 160.25 average.
Newcomer Genna Closs bowled in three matches on Saturday, including a team best 211 against Coppin State. She also bowled games of 157 against Molloy and 170 against Caldwell, ending with a 179.33 three-match average.
Desiree Dent also bowled in three matches on Saturday, turning a day's best 201 against Coppin State. She also bowled games of 163 and 155 for a 173.00 three-match average.
Redshirt freshman Nicole Mitchell appeared in her first collegiate tournament as well on Saturday, turning in a 105 against Pitt-Greensburg.
Coppin State's Logan Brown won individual medalist honors with a 1,028 five-match pinfall, going for a 205.60 average. Delaware State's Kelsey Cummings was the only other bowler to reach 1,000 total pins, finishing with 1,023 for a 204.60 average to finish second.
The Wildcats return to the lanes at the end of the month, as they head to Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania on Saturday, October 22, to compete in the Golden Bear Classic hosted by Kutztown. The two-day tournament will be held at Berks Lane.