GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T's bowling team finally got a chance to play at home and took full advantage. The Aggies went 5-0 Friday at their annual Vernell Stallings Invitational at Triad Lanes. 

The Aggies, the No. 6 team in the nation in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, improved to 66-33 as a result as they totaled 4,970 pins to finish third. The Aggies came to a climactic finish as they defeated the second-ranked team in the nation in Sam Houston State University (SHSU).

Both teams came into the matchup undefeated on the day. The Aggies took a 174-155 lead, but SHSU outscored A&T 245-184 in the second game to take a 400-358. Game 3 saw the Aggies win 229-162 to take a 587-562 lead. However, the Bearkats fought back with a 208-172 advantage in Game 4 to take a slim 770-759 lead. 

A&T started with three consecutive strikes in the final game. SHSU recorded two strikes and a spare to make a 79-70 game. After a spare, A&T bowled four straight strikes. SHSU also had four strikes, but an open sixth frame allowed A&T to maintain a 177-156 lead.

A&T bowled an open eighth frame, giving the Bearkats an opportunity to win as they bowled a strike to tie things at 186. However, the Aggies bowled two strikes and finished with a spare. SHSU bowled a strike in the ninth frame and started with a spare in the 10th. 

Therefore, SHSU needed an eight to tie or a nine to win on the final throw. Instead, they got a six as the Aggies claimed a 236-222 Game 5 win and a 994-992 win in the match. 

Before the final match dramatics, the Aggies started the day with a win over Texas Southern, 852-805. The Aggies then turned its sights to No. 12 Fairleigh Dickinson. They improved to 2-0 with a 1,032-992 win. 

The following two opponents for the Aggies were Mid-Eastern Athletic C (MEAC) opponents in the Norfolk State Spartans and Coppin State Eagles. The Aggies bowled well against their MEAC opponents, beating the Spartans 1,093-763 before taking down the Eagles 999-831. 

Fourth-ranked Vanderbilt leads the tournament with 5,256 total pins. Tenth-ranked Mount St. Mary's is second with 4,975 total pins, five pins ahead of A&T. SHSU sits in fourth place with 4,918 total pins and No. 14 Delaware State rounds out the top five with 4,882 total pins.

The Aggies continue the tournament with Mount St. Mary's, a bye, No. 21 Lincoln Memorial, Howard and Tusculum Saturday with traditional matches and finishes with bracket play on Sunday.