SMYRNA, Tenn. – Tenth-ranked North Carolina A&T finished the first day of bowling at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic in fourth place

The Aggies started the day with a 1,088-965 loss to No. 1 McKendree. They did, however, win the final four games of the day. They defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 1,004-862 and Drury 927-925. The Aggies also defeated No. 15 Wisconsin-Whitewater and Spalding 1,021-719.

Drury outscored the Aggies 204-165 in the first game, but the Aggies battled back by outscoring Drury 211-157 in the second to take a 376-361 lead. Drury outscored N.C. A&T 216-172 in the third game to take a 577-548 lead. But the Aggies outscored Drury 191-164 in the fourth game, but trailed Drury 741-739 heading into the final game.

The Aggies outscored Drury 188-184 in the final game to capture the two-pin win for the second win of the day.

McKendree leads the tournament with 5,307 total pins for an average of 212.3. Host and No. 4 Vanderbilt sits second with 5,202 total pins for an average of 208.1. Fifth-ranked Arkansas State is in third place with 4,977 total pins for an average of 199.1 and the Aggies (69-38) recorded 4,910 total pins for an average of 196.4.

No. 2 Sam Houston State sits five pins behind the Aggies with 4,905 total pins for an average of 196.2 and No. 6 Maryland Eastern Shore is sixth with 4,837 total pins for an average of 193.5.
The tournament continues Saturday with five traditional matches and concludes Sunday with three best-of-seven baker matches.