Malone College, ranked 16th in the latest NAIA poll, won its fifth consecutive conference title and its 21st overall as the Pioneers finished with a 54-hole team total of 873 that included a seven-under-par 281 on the final 18 holes. Ohio Dominican University was 19 strokes back at 892 after being tied with Malone following the first 27 holes on Thursday. State University of New York-Dehli was third at 905, while the Cougars finished fourth at 914.

For the second straight year, Malone’s Ben Smith earned medalist honors at the tournament as he bounced back from a 77 on his first round of 18 to fire a two-under-par 70 and a six-under-par 66 to finish with a three-under-par 213. Teammate Justin Lower was the runner-up with a one-under-par 215, while Ohio Dominican’s Adam Arnett shot a 217 that included a tournament-low 64 on the middle round of 18.

Senior Preston Knight (left) and junior Jared Schlabach led MVNU as they both finished at 227 to tie for 10th place individually and earn a spot on the AMC and NAIA Region IX Teams. Junior Tyler Tinch fired a 230, while senior Anthony Savage carded a 232. Junior Matt Kerns rounded out the scoring with a 247.

By winning the AMC/NAIA Region IX Tournament, Malone will receive an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament that will be held May 13-16 at Indiana National Golf Club in Plymouth, Ind.