BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LIU Brooklyn bowling senior Lauren McKowen was named the Northeast Conference Bowler of the Week, it was announced by the league office Thursday afternoon. It's the third weekly honor of McKowen's career.
 
McKowen started her senior season by averaging 21.55 pins per frame and leading LIU Brooklyn to nine victories in 10 matches at the Bud Whitman Memorial hosted by Kutztown. Bowling a possible 100 frames for the Blackbirds over two days of competition, the veteran right-hander left only eight opens en-route to posting the highest individual pinfall of all NEC competitors in attendance. McKowen struck 55 times in 100 chances (.550) and made 35 of 39 non-split spare attempts (.897). She consistently performed at a high level throughout the weekend, averaging more than 21.1 pins per frame in both the baker and traditional formats. With the Blackbirds winning all five matches during Saturday's baker rounds, McKowen posted a 21.16 frame average en-route to earning a spot on the Bud Whitman Baker All-Tournament Team. With the format turning to traditional team play on Sunday, McKowen became even hotter. She was the lone player in the entire tournament field to with four games of 218 or better. The 219.4 traditional game average (over five matches) ranked McKowen second on the event's individual leader board. She fired her weekend-high 252 game to lead the Blackbirds to a 1034-905 victory over tournament host Kutztown.
 
Senior Kristina Genova was also recognized by the league as a prime performer. The senior southpaw filled 82 of 90 frames bowled and accounted for a 20.08 overall frame averaged as the Blackbirds won nine of 10 matches at Kutztown's Bud Whitman Memorial.