BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The No. 16 LIU Brooklyn women's bowling team heads down the East coast to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawk Classic. Held in Millsboro, Delaware, the three day competition, begins on Friday, Nov. 17 and concludes on Sunday, Nov. 19. The Blackbirds (23-13) have traveled to the UMES event each of the last four Novembers, finishing in the top ten teams each time.

Besides the host school, ranked in the preseason at No. 7, and LIU, there are 10 more nationally-ranked opponents in the field, including: No. 4 Vanderbilt, No. 5 Sam Houston State, No. 9 Sacred Heart, No. 12 Delaware State, No. 13 Monmouth, No. 14 Saint Francis U., No. 17 Tulane, No. 18 North Carolina A&T, No. 21 St. Francis Brooklyn and No.  22 Franklin Pierce.

LAST WEEK ON THE LANES
LIU Brooklyn went 1-2 in bracket play on the final day at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawk Classic, and 7-6 overall in three days. The Blackbirds carried a 188.3 scoring average and finished 14th overall in the event at Sheridan Lanes in Kenosha.

MAKING MARKS
LIU senior  Lauren McKowen was named a Prime Performer by the Northeast Conference following the UWW Classic. She carried a 214.8 average to lead the team, which ranked ninth overall at the event. She also recorded a 20.83 overall frame average, which was the second-highest mark by a NEC bowler. Sophomore Tyler Karpinecz was next, holding a 197.5 average and freshman Sarah Florence, who had the high water mark for the the Blackbirds with a 247 game, was next with a 190.6 average.

LAST YEAR AT THE EVENT
LIU struggled on the first two days, but concluded with three wins in three best of seven baker matches Sunday, to finish the UMES Hawks Classic 6-8, and in ninth place overall.

ON THE TARGET NEXT
The Blackbirds are off for the Thanksgiving weekend and then conclude the first part of the season with an important NEC meet. The first of two NEC meets this season, it will be hosted by Duquesne in Pittsburgh, Pa. from December 2-3.