DAY TWO RESULTS

STRATFORD, N.J. – The No. 16 LIU Brooklyn Bowling team struck back on day two of the FDU New Jersey Jamboree, going 4-1 in traditional format play to earn one of the four spots to compete for the title in the championship bracket on Sunday.

The Blackbirds, the defending champions of their NEC rival's event downed 4,688 pins on day one for a 187.5 average after five baker matches on Friday, and improved on Saturday with 4,704 pins in traditional play. LIU's 187.8 overall average ranked fourth, behind Fairleigh Dickinson (199.6), Sacred Heart (194.7) and Monmouth (190.9) to set the top group for Sunday's action.

Senior lefty Kristina Genova threw four 200+ games in Saturday's traditional play for a 212.4 average to lead the Blackhawks and stand fourth among over 100 bowlers. LIU players in the top 30 of the individual leader board included fellow seniors Alyssa Balicki, who was 17th on the day with a 189.2 average and Lauren McKowen at 30th (179.2).

First up on the slate for LIU was Chestnut Hill and a 920-884 victory, behind a 202 from Genova. Next up was a match with No. 11 Monmouth, a 985-948 victory with a 236 from Genova and a 209 from freshman Kellie Frain, The middle match featured another Genova gem(234) and a 203 from McKowen in a 977-772 win over Morgan State. Despite a 232 from Balicki and a 202 from Genova in the fourth match of the day, the Blackbirds fell to NEC foe Caldwell, 980-892. Then in the final match of the day, junior Kayla Johnson made the most of her only Saturday action, throwing a 247 to lead the Blackbirds past No. 22 Franklin Pierce, 930-821.

The Blackbirds will face a tough road on the final day to retain their title, as the action concludes Sunday at 30 Strikes Lanes in Stratford, New Jersey. First, LIU will face Monmouth again at 9:30 a.m. and possibly both FDU (8-2 on the weekend) and Sacred Heart (10-0 on the weekend) in the top bracket competition with three best of seven baker matches on tap.