Deptford, N.J. (January 23, 2022) – The Mount St. Mary's bowling team had a record setting day to conclude the Northeast Classic at Bowlero in Deptford, N.J. After defeating #10 Stephen F. Austin in the opening round of bracket play and falling to #1 Sam Houston State in round two, the Mountaineers broke the NCAA season best-of-seven record against #12 Duquesne with a 253.25 average across a four game sweep.
 
The Mountaineers finished fifth, marking yet another impressive top five finish in what may the toughest field they will see all regular season. Senior Tamera Stanton broke the school record for the highest one-day baker frame average with a 24.74 and junior Amanda Yeung was also on fire with a 23.80 baker frame average. Freshman Rachel Hines had a 21.79 baker frame average and senior Rebecca Dodson had a 21.43, including the final 10 strikes in the win over Duquesne.
 
#9 Mount: 4 (256-215-168-221-174-208)
#10 Stephen F. Austin: 2 (167-167-224-192-206-197)
 
A 256 game one was huge in the Mount's opening round win over SFA as it would be the only time either team would win on the left lane. MSM continued to win game two on the left with a 215 and then the teams would trade blows until a game six victory sealed the deal for the Mountaineers to move up the bracket.
 
#9 Mount: 2 (184-146-208-234-190-190)
#1 Sam Houston: 4 (248-214-224-215-180-214)
 
In a rematch with the top squad in the land the Mountaineers quickly fell behind 0-3 to the Bearcats. The ladies put up a fight, however, capturing games four and five to come within a game of going the distance with the best in the country. A 190-214 loss that was closer than the final score indicated would send MSM back down the bracket to battle for fifth and sixth.
 
#9 Mount: 4 (245-210-289-269)
#12 Duquesne: 0 (244-202-188-178)
 
The final match of the weekend saw the Mount break the nation's top season mark for highest best-of-seven set, averaging 253.25 in a sweep over NEC foe Duquesne. Game one came down to the final frame with MSM holding a one pin lead. Both anchors rolled two strikes and a nine for the Mount to hold on to the win. In game two, the Mountaineers made a massive comeback getting all strikes in the eighth thru tenth frames to quickly turn a 20-pin deficit into an eight pin win. That is when the Mount reached for the record books, recording a program high 289 Baker game that saw the first 10 strikes go down. The ladies then continued to pour it on with a 269 game to take over the record by one total pin, previously held by #2 McKendree.
 
"We saw four records go down today," said head coach Kenneth DeGraaf. "Tamera set the single day Baker frame average record for our program. We set the program record for highest Baker game, then proceeded to set the program and NCAA single season record for highest best-of-seven average in a set. When you break that many records, you know it was a good day. I am proud of the ladies for not only staying resilient against Sam Houston after falling down 0-3, but also continuing to fight after that loss despite the top three trophy finish being just out of reach. It was important to us to earn our third top five finish at a top tier tournament and to be the highest finishing NEC team at this event heading into our second conference match. Needless to say, the ladies did just that and more in the final match. Beyond proud of their heart and we will get back to work to be even better the next time around."
 
The Mount now has an upcoming off weekend before heading to Mt. Joy Feb. 5-6 for the second NEC conference meet of the season. The ladies are currently tied with Sacred Heart for first in conference standings at 6-1 and will play each team in the traditional format in two weeks.