CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The College of Saint Mary bowling team turned in a strong performance here Saturday in the individual portion of the two-day Mid-Iowa Bowling Conference Tournament, ending fourth among the nine entries after day one.

The Flames finished the first day with 4,018 pins in their 25 individual games, a 160.8 average. Coe College led with 4,631 pins, followed by Iowa Central (4,367), Waldorf University (4,262) and CSM.

"I'm extremely proud of how well they bowled today,'' CSM Coach Corrinne Johnson said. "We made a goal to finish in the top 5, and they did exactly that. We are taking the excitement of our accomplished goal into tomorrow's 16 Baker games.''

Jennica Soar led the Flames with a five-game total of 839 pins, just ahead of Emily Merten (838). Next were Hannah O'Neal (819), Leilani Param (809) and Kaitlyn Dickmeyer (713).

CSM had a good second game, moving from seventh to fourth in the team standings. The Flames finished strong with an 879, their best of the day, in the fifth and final game.

"The ladies worked hard on the lanes and communicated well with each other, keeping the energy up even when our scores were down,'' Johnson said.

CSM hopes to carry that momentum into Saturday. The Baker games begin at 8:45 a.m.

"Our goal is to finish fourth or higher at the end of the two-day tournament,'' Johnson said.