**UPDATE-Sunday's bracket play was canecled due to inclement weather**

STRATFORD, N.J. (February 6, 2021) – The No. 7 nationally ranked Mount St. Mary's women's bowling team will have a shot at the Northeast Invite crown on Sunday following a 3-1 showing in Saturday's traditional qualifying matches. Wins over No. 13 North Carolina A&T, No. 17 Delaware State, and Caldwell pushed the Mount to 17-3 in the first 20 matches.
 
Freshman Alyssa Alexander led the charge for the Mountaineers, as the rookie placed fourth on the All-Tournament team with a 1,026 total pin-fall (205.2 average). Juniors Rebecca Dodson and Tamera Stanton also contributed with totals of 951 and 934, respectively.
 
#7 Mount: 937 | #17 Delaware State: 932
 
A day after losing to the Hornets by 4-pins in the opening match, the Mountaineers ended up on the right side this time of yet another close encounter. The match was close all the way throughout the match and Dodson picked up a 3-6 spare in the tenth to seal the win.
 
#7 Mount: 983 | Caldwell: 893
 
One match after a close scare, the Mount found a more comfortable outcome in their 100-pin win over former NEC member Caldwell. Alexander (226), Stanton (205), and Dodson (202) led the winning effort.
 
#7 Mount: 894 | Bloomfield: 925
 
For the first time this season the Mount fell victim to an unranked opponent, as the Bears completed the upset by a final score of 925-894. Tough transition and carry hindered the Mount's comeback effort in the final frames. Junior Danielle Milo was the lone bowler to cross the 200-pleateau with a 213.
 
#7 Mount: 994 | #13 North Carolina A&T: 914
 
Trying to avoid their first multi-game losing streak of the season, the Mountaineers responded with authority in an 80-pin defeat of MEAC juggernaut NCAT. Alexander spared the first frame before tossing eight consecutive strikes on her way to an impressive 257 game.
 
#7 Mount: 908 | BYE
 
Places first thru fifth were all up for grabs with tight standings, but the Mount would finish fourth in qualifying heading into Sunday's bracket play. Freshman Katherine Corbin entered the lineup for her first traditional game of the season and tossed a team high 202.
 
"The transition and lane play today could not have been any more different than yesterday," said head coach Kenneth DeGraaf. "Regardless, the message to the team remains the same. We have to, have to get better at knowing how to spare while not striking. We cannot be a strike or nothing team, which unfortunately I feel we have been at times this weekend. I feel beyond lucky we can look at a 190 average and say we are so much better than that. In year one and even last year we are feeling okay with that result, but not this season. I am confident if tomorrow can be our best 'smart' bowling of the weekend, we will come out with a result we are happy with."
 
The Mountaineers will enter round one of bracket play tomorrow with Delaware State. It will be the eighth time these two programs will have squared off this season. The winner of that match will play the loser of North Carolina A&T and Duquesne, with that winner heading to the championship round. Competition is set to begin at 11:00 AM ET.