DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - During its first season as a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member, the North Carolina Central University women’s bowling team earned a spot in the eight-team field MEAC Bowling Championship. The championships will take place March 16-18 at the Gate City Lanes in Greensboro, N.C.

Along with NCCU, Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M qualified from the southern division, while Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State, Hampton and Morgan State qualified from the northern division.

Junior Laverne Jones and graduate student Toria Silver, the only two team members to compete in all 42 games, led the Lady Eagles during their 2011-2012 campaign. Jones finished her third season on the NCCU squad knocking down 7803 total pins, with a game average of 185.5 and a game high of 248. Silver ended the season with a 7491 pinfall, a 177.3 average and a game high of 223 pins.

The Maryland Eastern Shore Lady Hawks enter the tournament ranked number five in the nation, while the Lady Spartans from Norfolk State are ranked number 12 nationally.

The tournament begins Friday, March 16 with a qualifying round to determine seeding. Teams will then compete in a second qualifying round with Baker game play and placed in a double-elimination bracket.

Play continues on Saturday with teams competing in a best-of-seven Baker series.

The 2012 MEAC Bowling Championship will conclude on Sunday, March 18 beginning with the semifinal round at 10 a.m. and concluding with the championship final. 

The championship finale will air tape-delayed on ESPNU at 10 p.m. on March 26.

For more information, log on to www.NCCUEaglePride.com.