HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - - The Wilmington University bowling team produced four matches above 1,000 pins on Saturday at the New Jersey Open, sitting in third place overall going into the final day.
The Wildcats went 2-2 on Saturday, but was impressive on the lanes nonetheless. They have one Traditional Match remaining on Sunday and then the teams will compete in two Baker Bracket matches to close out the tournament.
Saturday started with a 1,001-875 win against New Jersey City and then then produced a 1,039-867 victory against Long Island. The third match was a loss to St. Francis (PA), 994-977, but then got back over a thousand with a 1,008 against the bye. Despite dropping the final match, it was their best match of the day, falling to nationally ranked No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson, 1,129-1,078.
Sydney Jones is in line to be named All-Tournament, as she is in third with one match to play. She bowled a 1,106 for a 221.20 average. She had a day's high 255 against St. Francis as well as a 244 match against Long Island. She added a 218 match in the bye round and closed out her day with a 198 against FDU. Her lowest score was a 191 to start the day.
Desiree Dent is also on the cusp of All-Tournament, as she is in sixth with a 1,088 five-match total for a 217.60 average. She was over 200 in her first four matches, bowling a 236 against Long Island and a 235 against New Jersey City. She had a 214 against St. Francis and a 216 against the bye. Her lowest score was a 187 in the final match of the day.
KC Miller is fighting for All-Tournament as well, sitting in eighth with the seventh most pinfall, 1,049 for a 209.80 scoring average. Her day's best of 225 came against Long Island while she also had a 224 against FDU. She bowled a 221 against the bye as well.
Genna Closs is in 21st right now, bowling in four matches on Saturday and carries a 765 (191.25 average) into Sunday's final Traditional match. She had a 233 against FDU and a 201 against New Jersey City.
Carolece Henry bowled all five matches and is in 31st overall, bowling a 934 for a 186.80 average. She capped her day with her best match, bowling a 236 against FDU.
Nicole Mitchell bowled against the bye for Genna Closs, and produced a game of 161.
Fairleigh Dickinson leads the tournament with a total pinfall of 10,053 (201.1 average). Morgan State is second with a 10,044 total pinfall, followed by the Wildcats in third with a 9,943 total (198.9 average).
The Wildcats will face Bloomfield in the final Traditional Match on Sunday and then play two best-of-seven baker matches to determined final standings.