NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University bowling team defeated Molloy, 4-0, to win the match for fifth place to wrap up the Wildcat DII/DIII Invite on Sunday afternoon at Bowlerama.
The Wildcats finished 5th out of 11 squads at its home tournament, despite having a chance to win the tournament at the start of the day Sunday. Nationally ranked No. 14 Mercyhurst defeated Chestnut Hill, 4.5-2.5, in the championship match to win the tournament.
Seeded third to start the day, the Wildcats nearly made a late-game comeback to win the first match against Chestnut Hill. The Wildcats took the first game in the best-of-seven, 222-204, but then the Griffins answered with three straight wins to lead, 3-1. The Wildcats responded with two huge games, winning 234-123 and 242-178 to tie the match, 3-3, but couldn't finish off the comeback as the Griffins held on, 189-177, in game seven.
The Wildcats then raced out to a 3-0 lead on Caldwell, but the Cougars pulled the comeback upset over the Wildcats. The Wildcats put up 201 in game four, but the Cougars won, 235-201, to stay alive. The Cougars kept winning and tied the game, 3-3, with a 242-199 win in game six, and then finished off the comeback in game seven, 236-159, to win, 4-3.
The Wildcats faced Molloy for fifth place and jumped all over the Lions from the start. The Wildcats won 199-160 in game one, which ended up being their lowest score of the match. They then won game two, 208-158, game three, 210-194, and then completed the sweep, 225-157, in game four.
Caldwell finished third overall while Daemen placed fourth.
The Wildcats are right back in the lanes this weekend as they compete at the New Jersey Open in Hamilton, New Jersey, starting this Friday. The three-day tournament will be hosted at Hamilton Lanes.