BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn bowling team is back on the lanes this weekend in familiar event at the FDU New Jersey Jamboree, hosted by NEC rival Fairleigh Dickinson University from Friday through Saturday, November 3-5. The Blackbirds (9-1), the defending champions in this three-day event, are ready to roll following a three-week layoff after their only event this season, the Bud Whitman Invitational, where LIU finished in second place in two separate one-day events.
LEADING OFF
This will be LIU's first NCAA meet at the 30 Strikes Bowling Center in Stratford, N.J., a new site for the FDU Jamboree, an annual stop for the team. The No. 16 Blackbirds will actually get their first look at the remaining four schools in the conference this weekend in No. 8 FDU, No. 9 Sacred Heart, No. 21 St. Francis Brooklyn and Caldwell after checking out No. 25 Duquense and No. 14 Saint Francis U. three weeks ago. With a smaller field than last year (15 teams instead of 27), Head Coach Kayla Jones expects her squad to be back in contention for the title on Sunday.
LAST TIME ON THE LANES
The Blackbirds finished the two days Kutztown back on October 14, with a 198.9 scoring average, following a baker score of 197.8 on Saturday and an impressive 200 average on Sunday in traditional format. LIU went 5-0 in baker play on Saturday with senior Lauren McKowen (21.2) and sophomore Tyler Karpinecz (20.89) getting the team's top averages and were named to the the All-Tournament Team. NEC foe St. Francis edged out the Blackbirds with a 198.0 average, just 0.2 points ahead to take the first day title. On Sunday, LIU fell for the first time this season in the fourth match of the day, losing to No. 12 Delaware State, 1050-1031, effectively giving the traditional format title to Delaware State. Nonetheless, LIU's three 1000+ matches ensured the Blackbirds runner-up status in the event.
McKOWEN HONORED
LIU senior Lauren McKowen was named the Northeast Conference Bowler of the Week following the event, it's the third weekly honor of McKowen's career. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team on Sunday at the Bud Whitman tournament. The Tecumseh, Mich. native 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 on Sunday. She fired a weekend-high 252 game to lead the Blackbirds to a victory over tournament host Kutztown.
MAKING MARKS
Seniors Kristina Genova and Alyssa Balicki also had a strong opening weekend with five-game averages of 203.0 and 198.8 for 10th and 15th place, respectively, on Sunday's individual performance list. Genova was recognized by the NEC as a prime performer. The senior southpaw filled 82 of 90 frames bowled and accounted for a 20.08 overall frame average. The high game of the weekend was thrown by freshman Sarah Florence with a spectacular 255 tally against Delaware State.
DEFENDING CHAMPS
Last October, the Blackbirds capped a three-day weekend at the Fairleigh Dickinson Jamboree by beating Howard, No. 6 Sam Houston State and No. 14 Sacred Heart in the championship match to finish the weekend with a 9-3 record, and capture first place out of 27 teams.
ON THE TARGET NEXT
The Blackbirds will be back on the road next Friday, traveling to Wisconsin-Whitewater for the three-day Warhawk Classic, November 10 through Sunday, November 12.