After posting a 317 on Thursday, the Cougars had the fourth-best team total on Friday with a 300 to finish fifth at 617. Lee (Tenn.) University, which is ranked 14th in the NAIA preseason poll, won the two-day tournament with a five-under-par team total of 571 to easily out-distance runner-up Campbellsville (Ky.) University (584). Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College, which is ranked 18th, was third at 588, while Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) University was fourth at 604.

Individually, Joshua Lawson of Lee earned medalist honors as he finished with a six-under-par 138 that included a seven-under-par 65 on Friday. Senior Preston Knight (left) and junior Tyler Tinch led MVNU by each shooting a 153, while junior Jared Schlabach posted a 154. Senior Anthony Savage fired a 157, and senior Tim Hepner rounded out the scoring at 162.

“We did a better job on Friday with a much lower score,” said MVNU head coach Mark Stiverson. “I’m not sure what it is about the first day, but we have been slow starters. The talent is definitely here on this team. Now, we just need to execute.”

The Cougars will be back in action next Friday and Saturday at the Malone College Fall Invitational at Tannenhauf Golf Course in Alliance, Ohio. The MVNU “B” team will also compete in the Urbana University Fall Invitational on Friday in Cable, Ohio.