BALTIMORE, Md. (March 11, 2020)-This past weekend, the Morgan State travelled to Atlanta, Ga. to compete in the 2^nd annual HBCU Invitational at Fun Bowl in Forest Park, Ga. The Lady Bears' bowling team finished ninth out of 16 teams.
 
On Friday in the five-game Baker total pinfall format, the Bears started out going toe-to-toe against eventual tournament champion, Alabama State. After the first three games, the Lady Bears were at a pinfall of 617 which was fueled by a second game of 241.
 
After three games Alabama State's total was 580. Alabama State proceeded to average 233.5 for the next two games and the Lady Bears were not able to keep the pace with the final score being 1,047-972.
 
Against the second Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent they faced in Alabama A&M, the Lady Bears held a lead of 18 pins after four games with lane choice heading into game #5. Unforced errors in the form of missed spares cost the Bears an otherwise winnable match, losing by nine pins in Match #2.
 
Morgan State proceeded to win the remaining three matches of the day on Friday, getting a great win against Jackson State who has received votes in the NTCA National rankings, Livingstone and Virginia Union.
 
On Saturday the Lady Bears secured three more wins against, Texas Southern, Grambling and Bethune Cookman. Their losses were against Southern and Norfolk State.
 
Diamond Hunter competed in her final NCAA Tournament and led Morgan State in average with a 184.2. She finished 21^st overall in the individual standings in the tournament.
 
The remaining averages for the Lady Bears were Ashanti Fernandes - 180.8, Touri Holmes – 175.8, La'Monique Berrios – 173 and Amoura Whitney – 129.2.
 
Leading up to Sunday's bracket round, on Friday Morgan State went 2-3 in the Baker Total Pinfall, earning wins against Laroche University, and Mount Aloysius. Morgan averaged 161.2 for the day.
 
On Sunday, the best 4-of-7 Baker Round had the Lady Bears, who were seeded ninth face off against the 10^th-seed, Alabama A&M. Morgan State went up quickly 2-0 firing games of 211 and 207. But then its scoring cooled off, giving A&M the next 3 wins. In a must win game #6, the Lady Bears shot a strong 216, giving them lane choice heading into game seven. However the roller coaster ride in this match ended with the Lady Bears coming up short in the seventh and deciding game.
 
In the final two matches of the day, the Lady Bears secured solid wins to regain a ninth-place finish, by beating Virginia State 4-1 and Fayetteville State 4-1.
 
"The breakthrough our right-handers made in being confident standing left of center was so good to see. It was the first event where they felt confident in playing the later days lines when the oil dries up and becomes unpredictable on the outside part of the lane," said Morgan State head coach Thomas Falbo. "It will mean much in their development. Our Diamond [Hunter] was strong for us at anchor this weekend and we were all energized in a special way with this being her last tournament. The HBCU Invitational is a great event and look forward to Morgan State competing well there next year."