Towson, Md. —The Mount Aloysius College Lady Mountie Bowlers competed in the James Brown Tournament over the weekend in Baltimore, Md. Morgan State University hosted the three- day NCAA event. The event was formerly known as the MSU Bowling Invitational Tournament but was renamed after the MSU's first head bowling coach in 2012. The James Brown Invitational began on Friday, February 16^th and ended Sunday, February 18^th.

Along with Mount Aloysius, this year's field included 15 teams. Competition included: Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth, Morgan State, Norfolk, Caldwell, Chestnut Hill, Felician, Fayetteville, Youngstown, Wilmington, Coppin, Belmont Abbey, Virginia State and Howard. 

Friday, February 16^th was an all baker day. The Mounties finished the day with a 3-2 record. High baker average on the day was Freshman Brooke Edelman 17.6, Michelle Bello 17.3, Brianna Biesiada 16.7, Maria Claycomb 16.6 and Casey Schaffer 16.2. Friday's match results were: Mount Aloysius verses Morgan State (786/838); Mount Aloysius versus Norfolk (885/950); Mount Aloysius versus Fayetteville (880/817); Mount Aloysius versus Coppin (889/827); and Mount Aloysius versus Belmont Abbey (770/723).

Saturday, February 17^th was in the traditional format.  Match results were: Mount Aloysius versus Monmouth (859/962); Mount Aloysius versus Youngstown (920/854); Mount Aloysius versus Wilmington (956/875); Mount Aloysius versus Virginia State (795/784); Mount Aloysius versus Howard (890/937).  Mount Aloysius' win loss record on the day was 3-2.

Mount Aloysius Head Bowling Coach Barbara Jones praised several lady Mounties who extended themselves during tough competition. "Many bowlers on this team stepped up today," she said. "Special kudos to Michelle Bello with a 1003 for five games (200 average including high games of 224 and 217), Claycomb (average 183 including a 244 game), Jessica Bello (178 average) and Brianna Biesaida (199 game, 172 average)".

On Sunday, February 18^th was in the best four-of-seven format. The Lady Mounties started the day in 11th place overall with a chance to finish in 9th.  Match 1 was a 4/0 winner against Fayetteville 817/697 (199/186, 244/191, 190/176, 184/144). After a 30-minute layover, the Lady Mounties struggled to regain their scoring rhythm and fell to Wilmington 614/721 (151/179, 183/188, 142/169, 138/185). Fighting back for the 11th place in the final round of the day, the Mounties were able to defeat Belmont Abbey 890/845 (150/175, 177/169, 202/171, 192/177, 169/153).

Michelle Bello continued her domination of Pattern 4 with a 21.7 baker frame average followed by  Edelman with a 18.6, Lucy Craig with a 18.3 and Jessica Bello rounding out the top 4 with a 17.6.

Coach Jones noted that freshman Michelle Bello found herself on the Second All-Tournament Team-- her first individual honor as a collegiate player.  Jones said, "We are all very proud of Michelle.  This will no doubt be the first of many highlights in her collegiate career here at Mount Aloysius College."

Mount Aloysius College Ladies Bowling — champs of the 2017-2018 regular season Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) — finished the NCAA season with a 44-35 record.

The overall AMCC Championship is next on the schedule for the Mounties on March 3rd. The match has been reduced to a one day match which will not be recognized by the NCAA for win-loss purposes.