SMYRNA, Tenn. – North Carolina A&T had an excellent second day at the 19th annual Music City Classic hosted by Vanderbilt University Saturday at the Smyrna Bowling Center. According to the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association poll, the Aggies, the seventh-ranked team in the nation, went 4-0 on Saturday during traditional team play.
Senior Lauren Tomaszewski led the way for A&T with one of her season's best traditional team play showings. Tomaszewski totaled 1,192 pins on Saturday, going over 200 pins in all five games she bowled. She went over 250 pins twice and averaged 238.40. Tomaszewski had the highest individual pin total on the day and will earn all-tournament honors on Sunday.
As a team, the Aggies moved from ninth place on Friday to fifth place on Saturday. A&T totaled 5,186 pins on the day, the third-highest total behind the nation's top-ranked team, McKendree (5,460) and ninth-ranked Sam Houston State (5,333). The Aggies are 6-3 for the tournament, with 10,066 total pins for a nine-game average of 201.3.
The teams will play three best-of-seven Baker matches on Sunday, with the Aggies entering as the No.5 seed. They will play the No. 6 seed and fourth-ranked Arkansas State. A&T can finish as high as third.
One other Aggie finished in the top-15 in sophomore Chloe Newberry. Newberry totaled 1,080 pins for a five-game average of 216.00. Senior Jada Bassette went over 200 pins for times and totaled 1,041 over five games for a 208.20 average.
The Aggies started the day with a 1,071-944 win over No. 17 Central Missouri, with Newberry leading the way with a 255. Tomaszewski posted a 227, and Bassette and sophomore Maya Avilez added 204 and 200, respectively. Next, A&T beat another ranked opponent with a 1,086-981 win over No. 19 Lincoln Memorial. Again, Tomaszewski's 258 led the way, followed by Bassette's 244-pin total and Avilez's 213.
A&T came just under 1,000 in its third game with a 963-796 win over Aurora. Newberry posted a 227, followed by Tomaszewski's 225. The dominance continued with a 1,087-740 blowout win over Belmont Abbey College. All five Aggies went over 200, led by Aviez's 234. Tomaszewski totaled 228 pins and Newberry totaled 215. Bassette and junior Melanie Katen added a 208 and 202, respectively.
The Aggies bowled in a bye match to close the day, totaling 979 pins. Tomaszewski closed out her day with a 258. Bassette added 215 to add to her season totals. The Aggies are 83-31 on the season as they prepare to close their final regular-season tournament on Sunday.
