DeLand, Fla. – The North Carolina Central University women's bowling team defeated the national ranked No. 20 Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University at the second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Divisional bowling tournament on Dec. 7-8 in DeLand, Fla.

In a highly competitive match, the Lady Eagles defeated the Wildcats, 966-918.

The two-day competition was hosted by the 20th-ranked Wildcats and included four other bowling programs: No. 15 Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, and NCCU.  As a team, NCCU completed the weekend with a 3-5 overall record, giving them a fourth place finish.

During the traditional matches on day one, the Lady Eagles posted a 2-2 record. In addition to defeating BCU, NCCU earned a victory over Florida A&M, 988-862, while falling to Norfolk State, 838-984, and in-state rival North Carolina A&T, 855-916.

On day two, NCCU struggled during the baker games, ending with a 1-3 record. The Lady Eagles only victory of the day came against Florida A&M, 659-631. They were defeated by North Carolina A&T, 662-690, Norfolk State, 701-757, and Bethune-Cookman, 725-773.

The Lady Eagles were led by freshman Rachael Johnson who finished fifth among overall individual bowlers. Johnson ended the weekend with a four-game average of 197, including a game high of 244. Johnson cleared a total of 788 pins.

The other top bowlers for NCCU were Kourtney Rodez and Rae'Shelle Drayton who finished 10th and 12th respectively among individual bowlers. Rodez cleared 757 pins with a game-high of 204 and average of 189.25. Drayton averaged 184.75, clearing 739 total pins and game high of 193.

As a team, the Lady Eagles cleared a total of 6,394 pins during the tournament.

NCCU bowling will return to the lanes on Jan. 17-19 after the winter holidays, as participants in the Frederick E. Underwood Bowling Invitational in Laurel, Md.