March 20, 2009

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) bowling team tied for first place in the northern division of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this season and lost the division title via tie-breaker to Delaware State. That didn't sit well with the defending National Champion Hawks who went out and promptly earned the top seed in the 2009 Championships, knocking down 7,357 pins, 79 more pins than second-seeded DSU during the qualifying round on Friday (March 20).

The Hawks went went 6-3 in qualifying matches at Gate City Lanes in Greensboro, North Carolina. Eastern Shore went 3-1 in Traditional play to start the day and then 3-2 in four-game Baker play. Only the first six matches of the day will count toward the team's win loss record due to a six match per-day maximum rule by the NCAA.

Maryland Eastern Shore, which earned the first seed for the fourth straight year, will compete for it's fourth straight MEAC title and fifth overall. The Hawks, who are currently ranked fifth in the latest National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, will face off against North Carolina A&T, the eighth seed, Saturday in round one of bracket play.

Delaware State, the fourth ranked team in the nation, earned the second seed and will vie for its first MEAC bowling crown. The Lady Hornets earned the northern divisional crown during regular season play and will meet seventh seeded Bethune-Cookman during round one of competition.

No. 14 Morgan State earned the third seed, followed by Hampton with the fourth seed. The Lady Bears will face sixth seeded Florida A&M, while the Lady Pirates of Hampton will match up against fifth seeded Norfolk State. The Spartans, who earned the southern divisional title reached the semifinals of last year's championship and are currently ranked 18th in the nation.

Only eight teams in the conference are eligible to play in the championship tournament. Howard (8-22), Coppin State (0-30), and South Carolina State (10-14) were eliminated from tournament play based on their record in conference play.

The Hawks opened play with a 1019-921 win against Hampton, topped Bethune-Cookman 980-824 and then Florida A&M 918-850 before dropping the final Traditional match to Delaware State (1024-869). 

Eastern Shore's Martha Perez topped all individuals with a four-game average of 217.25 including a 244 against the Pirates in the opener.

During Baker competition Maryland Eastern Shore Topped Norfolk State (748-639), and host North Carolina A&T State (768-700) before dropping a match to Morgan (693-671). A win against Bethune (678-626) was followed with a 712-706 loss to Hampton to close out the day.

Play continues on Saturday with teams competing against each other in a best-of-seven baker style double-elimination bracket competition.

The MEAC Bowling Championship wraps up on Sunday (March 22) at 9:40 a.m. beginning with the semifinal round and concluding with the championship final at 11:45 a.m. The championship final will air taped delayed on ESPNU on April 2.

Admission to the bowling championship is free and open to the public.

For the latest in MEAC Bowling and other MEAC sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACsports.com