LAUREL, Md. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson women's bowling team, fresh off a 39-day hiatus, finished the first day of the "Fred Underwood" Lady Bulldogs Classic, hosted by Bowie State, in first place after going 5-0 in quad baker matches. The Knights accumulated a total pinfall of 3707 in the 14-team tournament.

In its first match FDU defeated Coppin State, 801-602, before defeating the hosts, Bowie State, 804-649. The Knights then handled Virginia Union, 671-528; Virginia State, 739-602; and Livingstone College, 692-462.

"We are happy to be back in action, and the team was very enthusiastic," Head Coach Mike LoPresti said. "Because of the long layoff, we were a little rusty and need to go back to the well-oiled machine we showed at the end of the fall semester. We cannot complain with our win-loss record today, but we will be tested on Saturday when we play face better competition."

FDU will play five traditional games on Saturday, before Sunday's championship brackets feature a best of seven.