NEW CASTLE, Del. -- Kutztown University women's bowling reached the championship match at the Wildcat DII/DIII Invitational, Sunday, before falling to host Wilmington (Del.), 4-2, in a best-of-seven Baker series to claim second-place on the weekend.

The Golden Bears improved to 49-25 for the season and are now just one victory away from a 50-win season for the 14th time in 16 all-time seasons.

Kutztown added another impressive win in hopes of climbing back into the NTCA Top 25. The Bears took down Mercyhurst, which is receiving votes in the latest poll, 4.5-1.5, to open bracket play. Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township), Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York), Alyssa Blood (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), Madison Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) and tournament MVP Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) took to the lanes for the Maroon and Gold against the Lakers.

The quintet did not drop any of the first four games, building a 3.5-0.5 lead. A 216-203 win in game two was the high mark for the Bears, who also took game one (167-146) and four (197-179) while tying game three (194-194). Mercyhurst extended the series to a sixth game with a four-pin victory in game five, but KU emerged with a hard-fought 189-186 win in game six to move forward.

Kutztown had to dig out of a 3-1 deficit against Emmanuel (Ga.) to reach the championship match but did so behind its best stretch of play all day. Though Angela Reynolds' team grabbed game one by a 172-149 score, Emmanuel responded with three straight wins. The Bears blitzed the Lions in the final three games, however, with the closest decided by 38 pins. KU won game five, 233-185, game six, 222-157, and the deciding game seven, 224-186.

The Bears were also forced to rally against Wilmington in the title match after falling in the first two games. KU evened the series at two games apiece after winning the third, 190-177, and fourth, 192-185. The Wildcats were able to go back in front with a 169-146 win in game five and clinched the championship by the slimmest of margins with a 202-201 win in game six.

Kutztown's runner-up finish is its best tournament placement of the year to date. The Golden Bears' previous high finish was third at the Coppin State University Lady Eagles Invitational back in November.

The Golden Bears will take a month off of competition as they look to refine their games ahead of the postseason. KU travels back to Bowlerama in New Castle, Del., for the Northeast Roundup March 16-17, before taking part in the East Coast Conference Championship, March 22-24.