GLEN ALLEN, Va. – The Bowie State University bowling team opened the 2019-20 season at the 9th Annual Virginia Union University Invitational at Bowl America on November 1-3. The Bulldogs finished the weekend event with a total pin count of 6,954 and a record of 5-8.
 
A total of 13 teams, including three Division I programs, competed in the Invitational, which was won by Wilmington (Del.) University. The remaining top five include Howard University, Mount St. Mary's University, Chestnut Hill College and Coppin State University.
 
Bowie State's opening season weekend got off to a rough start as the Bulldogs recorded a record of 1-4 in Friday's (Nov. 1) Baker System competition. The Bulldogs dropped an 851-712 decision to Mount St. Mary's in the teams' first match of the season. Bowie State rebounded in its second match, knocking off Division I Norfolk State 711-637. However, the Bulldogs lost its last three matches on Friday, falling to Mount Aloysius (766-694), Wilmington (Del.) (889-732) and Coppin State (768-650).
 
Saturday's (11/2) traditional play began with an 810-759 setback to Chestnut Hill but Bowie State pulled out a 641-573 victory against conference foe Virginia State in match two. In the third match of the day, host Virginia Union edged Bowie State 730-705 and CIAA Southern Division foe Fayetteville State slipped by the Bulldogs by a score of 782-741.
 
The Bulldogs had its most productive day on Sunday (11/3) as Bowie State recorded a 2-1 record earning two wins over Virginia Union by scores of 783-692 and 964-937 but lost to Fayetteville State 681-601 in Baker System scoring.
 
The 5-time defending CIAA Champions of Bowie State return to the lanes November 8-10 at CIAA North/South Event #1 hosted by Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C.