GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T bowling team is trying to reclaim a tournament title that means so much to the program. But the first team to ever take away the NCATSU Vernell Stallings Invitational from the Aggies last season stands in their way again. 

The first day of the Stallings Invitational hosted by the sixth-ranked team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA), Aggies at AMF All-Star Lanes is complete with the Aggies sitting in third place, going 4-1 in Baker games on Friday by knocking down 4,713 pins for a 188.5 average. 

Last year's champion, the second-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores, lead the tournament by going 5-0 with 4,995 total pins (199.8). 

The Aggies won the first Stallings before the Commodores claimed it in 2022. 

Ninth-ranked Sam Houston State University (SHSU) had the second-highest pinfall on Friday at 4,765 (190.6). But the competition extends much further. Tenth-ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) stands in fourth place at 4-1 with 4,168 pins for an average of 185.5. Twenty-first ranked Lincoln Memorial is fifth with 4,636 pins (185.4), and No. 22 Tulane went 5-0 with 4,565 pins (182.6). 

A&T started the day by defeating Florida A&M 978-850 before downing Norfolk State 980-741. The Aggies took down Howard next, 881-723. The Aggies moved to 4-0 with a 958-801 win over Belmont Abbey. Next came second-ranked Vandy, who handed A&T its only loss, 1,067-916. 

A&T returns to AMF All-Star Lanes on Saturday with five traditional games, starting with a matchup against Tusculum University. The Aggies next four opponents will be Tulane, UMES, Coppin State and Lincoln Memorial. A&T will have one additional traditional contest against SHSU on Sunday morning. 

Play gets underway at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.