STRUTHERS, Ohio (Oct. 14, 2022)--Day 1 is complete at the MOTIV Penguin Classic, which is the first event for the Morgan State bowling team for the 2022-23 season. The tournament is being hosted by Youngstown State University.
 
On Friday the Lady Bears had a nice showing in five-game total pinfall Baker averaging 189.3 for the day and currently sitting in eighth place. Morgan State went 3-2 in their matches in Friday's round.
 
Highlights of Friday's 5 Traditional Game Matches:

• Morgan State fired a 1,016 in the opening match of the year beating Central Missouri.
• Naomi Smith had a Baker Frame average of 20.48 for 43 frames, leading the Bears.
• In her freshman debut, Johnna Hill averaged 20.3 for 20 Baker frames bowled.

 
Friday's Baker Matches:
#19 Morgan State 1,016, #21 Central Missouri 914          
Morgan State fired a 699 for the first three games (214-240-245) to take control early and never looked back defeating Central Missouri by 102 pins. Sophomore, Naomi Smith led the Bears striking seven times out of the 10 frames bowled in the match.
 
#19 Morgan State 960, Walsh 899
The next match again saw the Bears take control, firing games of 204 and 224 to gain a 123-pin lead against Walsh and held onto the lead and take the victory. Senior Aliya Adams led Morgan State in strikes with eight out of the 10 frames bowled in the match. Naomi Smith kept up her strong pace with again throwing seven strikes in the match.
 
#19 Morgan State 959, Aurora 849
Morgan State true to form rolled games of 216 and 214 to start the match and then maintained control against Aurora to get their third win of the season. Naomi Smith struck in her first seven first balls from the anchor position to lead the Bears. Senior La'Monique Berrios struck five times during the match and junior Cheyenne Washington struck four times in Match 3.
 
#19 Morgan State 912, #3 Nebraska 1,035                 
When Morgan faced the #3 Lady Huskers, after two games Morgan held a five-pin lead. It was then Nebraska found the line and speed they needed to solve the transitioning lanes, shooting scores in Game 3 and Game 5 of 224 and 267, respectively. Morgan State averaged over 180 in the final three games, but could not catch fire to pace with the Huskers. La'Monique Berrios led the Bears with five strikes out of 10 frames in the match.
 
#19 Morgan State 895, #20 Lewis 965                   
In the final round of the day, both teams hit a pair in the late stages of oil transition. The Bears shot games of 177-205-167-175-180 against Lewis who had games of 220-147-210-199-189. Lewis had a straighter look to the pocket and was able to stay consistent in their last three games to take the win against Morgan. Johnna Hill led the Bears with six strikes out of the 10 frames bowled in the match.  
 
Morgan State has a total pinfall after Day#1 of 4,733 for a 189.3 average for their five-game Baker play. That places them in eighth place behind Medaille University, who currently sits in seventh with a 4,881 total pinfall.
 
Here are the Baker Averages for Morgan State for Friday's matches:
Naomi Smith 20.48 (43 frames), Johnna Hill 20.3 (20 frames), Ashanti Fernandes 19.0 (17 frames), Aliya Adams 19.13 (38 frames), Natalia Miranda Vega 18.07 (38 frames), La'Monique Berrios 18.04 (49 frames) and Cheyenne Washington 17.6 (40 frames).
 
"The ladies can definitely get it done on the fresh and first stages of transition. We have improved greatly in the late stages of transition, but we will continue to work to improve," said Morgan State head coach Tom Falbo. "Our chemistry as a team has grown so much in the pre-season and went to an even higher level today."
 
"Their communication and total team mentality today leveled up and we look forward to using this as our strength to get better every time out. I am proud of our veteran leadership and scoring and it was great seeing our younger players in Naomi and Johnna do so well for us today!"  
 
Tomorrow has the Lady Bears in five matches in traditional game play in Day #2 at the MOTIV Penguin Classic at Holiday Bowl in Struthers, Ohio.