Huskers Third After First Day of Wildcat Invitational

Orlando, Fla. – The top-ranked Nebraska bowling team opened the 2016-17 season with a 3-1 record and a pinfall of 4,828 in five five-game Baker matches (one bye), good for third overall after the first day of the Wildcat Invitational at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

The Cornhuskers opened the competition with a victory over No. 3 Arkansas State by a score of 1,038-958. Following that match, NU dropped its only decision of the day to eighth-ranked North Carolina A&T by a score of 899-839.

The Huskers quickly bounced back from that loss, winning two consecutive matches heading into the bye to close out the day. The Huskers took down Alabama State, 1,026-902, and hosts Bethune-Cookman, 923-838.

Nebraska put up a score of 1,002 in its bye round to contribute to its total score.

The Huskers will continue action at the Wildcat Invitational on Saturday at 9 a.m. (CT) with five traditional matches. The Huskers will face No. 10 Fairleigh Dickinson in the first match of the day, followed by a match with No. 22 Prairie View A&M before a rematch of the last two NCAA Championship matches with second-ranked Stephen F. Austin in the third round. NU will also face No. 11 Maryland-Eastern Shore and Florida A&M in Saturday’s competition. Friday and Saturday’s combined results will determine the seeding for Sunday’s bracket-play championship tournament, in which each team will play three rounds of best-of-seven Baker matches.

Wildcat Invitational Overall Standings (Pinfall after one day of competition)

1.    Sam Houston State (5,073)
2.    Arkansas State (4,975)
3.    Nebraska (4,828)
4.    Monmouth (4,755)
5.    Stephen F. Austin (4,687)
6.    Maryland-Eastern Shore (4,677)
7.    Prairie View A&M (4,672)
8.    Fairleigh Dickinson (4,621)
9.    North Carolina A&T (4,437)
10. Alabama State (4,325)
11. Tulane (4,293)
12. Bethune-Cookman (4,250)
13. Florida A&M (4,142)