READING, Pa. (January 22, 2016) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's bowling took on four nationally ranked teams and went 0-6 in the baker format on the opening day of the KU Invitational at Hiester Lanes on Friday.

The team averaged 838.5 pins per match and 167.7 pins per game in their six matches of the day, and topped out at 889 pins against Bethune-Cookman, which they played second in the day.

Franklin Pierce opened the day against Penn State Altoona for their first match. The Ravens were able to out-shoot the Lions by at least 20 pins in two of the match's five games, but their 816 pins dropped was not enough, as Penn State was able to drop 845 over the five games.

The best match of the day for Franklin Pierce in terms of pin fall came next, with the Ravens totaling 889, but Bethune-Cookman was able to take down more pins, as they totaled 947 after to come away with the win

Franklin Pierce was not able to keep up with No. 9 nationally ranked McKendree, which dropped 1,043 pins to the Ravens' 789,

The Ravens fell in their fourth match of the day to No. 11 North Carolina A&T State, as the Ravens dropped 800 pins, while North Carolina A&T totaled 991.

No. 8 Stephan F. Austin was up next for the Ravens in the gauntlet of nationally ranked squads, and the Ladyjacks came away winners by a final score of 1059-873.

The Ravens held their own in the final match-up of the first day against No. 17 Norfolk State. The difference was just three pins, and the Ravens dropped more pins in three of the five games, but the final score was 867-864 in favor of Norfolk.

Sophomore Jessica Davies (Cape Coral, Fla.) led the way for the Ravens on the day with a Baker average of 184.5, followed by sophomore Colleen Kelly (Quincy, Mass.) at 166.5, freshman Stephanie Radley (Averill Park, N.Y.) at 164.7 and freshman Sarah Busse (Commack, N.Y.) at 161.8.

The Ravens continue play on Saturday, with a scheduled six matches on the second day of the three-day KU Invitational, though the schedule is subject to change due to this weekend's wintry weather.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce bowling apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).