CARBONDALE, Ill. ? The Indiana State women's golf team posted a second round team score of 313, tied for the second-best score of the day in the field, to finish in sixth place at the Southern Illinois Saluki Invitational. The tournament was held on the par-72, 5,999-yard Hickory Ridge Country Club.
“I am very proud of the way that we came back in today's final round to finish strong in the tournament,” head coach Mike Whitson said. “Today's conditions were much better than Sunday's, and it was nice to put together a strong round to finish in sixth place. We're looking forward to getting out and improving this week before the Bradley Invitational next weekend.”
Junior Breanne Smith posted a second round score of 74 to finish with a tournament total of 155 which tied her for third place individually. Smith opened play on Sunday with an 81. She was one of four golfers to finish with a 155 and earn the third place finish. Smith concluded play three shots back of tournament winner Kate Laegeler of Southern Illinois.
“Breanne played extremely well for us today,” Whitson commented. “It was great to see her put together a solid round on day two of the tournament.”
ISU's final round score of 313 was tied for the second-best team score in the final round with Ball State, who finished the tournament with a second place finish. Murray State, who just edged the Sycamores with a team score of 643 posted a final round best tally of 309.
There were 15 total teams in the tournament, including 13 NCAA Division I schools. Six different schools from the Missouri Valley Conference competed and the Sycamores finished fourth amongst league participants.
Following Smith in the individual standings was freshman Astrid Parsson who posted a final round score of 78 to rebound from an opening round 85 and finish with a tournament total of 163 in a tie for 22nd place.
Next up for the Sycamores was junior Kelsea Ice who recorded a 79 on day two of the tournament after an opening round total of 85 to finish with a 164 in a tie for 25th.
Junior Abby Butler's tournament score of 166 was good enough to tie for 33rd place. She carded an 84 on day two after posting an 82 on Sunday.
Junior Kayley Bodine bettered her score by four strokes on the tournament's second day as she posted a score of 82 after recording an 86 on Sunday. Her total of 168 placed her in a tie for 41st place.
Sophomore Diana Price recorded rounds of 85 and 88 to finish in a tie for 57th with a tournament score of 173.
There were a total of 92 individual competitors in the Saluki Invitational.
The Sycamores have one tune-up left before the MVC Championships when they travel to the Bradley Invitational on April 5-6.
