MILLSBORO, Del. - - The Wilmington University bowling team squared off against five nationally ranked teams at the UMES Hawk Classic on Saturday, moving up a spot to 10^th overall heading into Baker Bracket play at Millsboro Lanes.

The Wildcats went 1-4 on Saturday against the stiff competition, but moved up a spot to 10^th overall in the standings according to total pinfall. The Wildcats put down a total of 4,434 pins on Saturday now have a total of 8,963 for a 179.3 per game average.

Saturday started with a close 894-873 loss to nationally 19^th ranked Morgan State. Nationally 17^th ranked Tulane had an outstanding match to defeat the Wildcats, 1,015-847, but then the Wildcats bounced back with a 901-893 victory over nationally 22^nd ranked Long Island. The day ended with losses to 2^nd ranked Vanderbilt, 972-844, and the closest match of the day to 10^th ranked Fairleigh Dickinson, 978-969.

The Wildcats were led by Desiree Dent's 971 on Saturday, bowling to a 194.20 average, ranking 19^th at the tournament. She bowled matches of 180-171-213-178-229, with her game high 229 coming against Fairleigh Dickinson.

Genna Closs placed 33^rd overall with a 185.00 average, bowling games of 146-160-209-190-220 for a 925. Carolece Henry bowled all five games as well, finishing in 42^nd overall with an 882 total. She bowled games of 202-185-169-151-175 for a 176.40 average. KC Miller was right behind Henry in 45^th place, finishing with a five-match total of 863. Miller bowled games of 189-148-156-191-179 for a 172.60 average. Sydney Jones rounded out the Wildcats on the lanes on Saturday with a 793 five-match total, bowling games of 156-183-154-134-166 for a 158.60 average.

Delaware State's Cierra Brown earned MVP honors after bowling an incredible 1,099 for a 219.80 average. She had games of 232-191-255-222-199 to lead the pack of 121 bowlers.

Vanderbilt heads into Sunday as the No. 1 seed, have a two-day total of 9,820 total pinfall for a 196.4 per game average. North Carolina A&T (191.6 average) and Delaware State (188.4 average) are second and third, respectively.