ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Led by JJ Cooney's consistent performance through 54 holes, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team finished ninth in the team standings at the Lindenwood Invitational which concluded on Tuesday at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club.

Cooney moved up five spots to finish 12^th by carding a three-round total of 220 (75-74-71). In shooting an even-par 71 in the third round, Cooney had his second best round of the season. He improved his score in each of his three rounds by opening with a 75 and then carding a 74 in round two and 71 in the final round. Cooney now has 10 rounds of 75 or better this year.   

With Cooney's consistent play and solid play throughout the lineup, USF finished tied for nine with Missouri Baptist as both schools finished at 910. USF, which was among 19 teams at the tourney, opened with a 299 and then had scores of 306 and 305. The Cougars had its top three-round total and bettered the mark of 921 at the MSSU Invitational on Sept. 24-25, 2018 at Sangri-La Country Club at Monkey Island, Okla.

"Overall, I thought we had a good showing with a strong field and challenging track," said USF Director of Men's and Women's Golf Sam Vosler. "JJ (Cooney) really paced our squad with his consistent play through 54 holes. I was really pleased with his grit and how sharp his short hand is right now. We had some solid rounds from Jacob (Zosel) and Jack (Evans) sprinkled in there. We're always looking at the big picture and that is playing our best going into conference. The squad is on track as we head into a busy finish to our spring. I like this team and the guys we have fighting for each other," he said.

Lindenwood, which was led by co-individual leader Markus Lindgren with a 221 (71-68-72), won their own tournament with a 17-over par 869 (294-286-289). Central Oklahoma finished tied for second at 24-over par at 876 (291-298-287) with SE Oklahoma, which was led by individual co-leader Zach James with a 211 (71-72-68), and finished at 876 (291-293-292)

With 104 golfers competing, USF has four in the top 52. Junior Brenden Bassing closed with a 75 and had a three-round total of 19 over par 232 (77-80-75). With the 75, he had his best round of the tourney and moved up nine spots with his day two five-shot improvement.

Sophomore Jacob Zosel also was tied for 44^th after carding a final round of 78. He finished at 19 over par 232 (72-82-78). Freshman Jack Evans, who tied for 10^th  after the first day of competition, finished at 21 over par total of 234 (75-70-89).

Also for USF, junior Blake Berry carded a three-round total of 32 over par and 245 (78-86-81). Berry, who was tied for 79^th, improved by five shots from his second round.

Sophomore Jake Oetzman moved up two spots to 93^rd and finished with a 38-over par 251 (87-85-79). He had a six shot improvement from his second round and eight shots better than his opening round.  

USF will next compete at the Upper Iowa Invite on March 30-31 at the Sunnyside Country Club in Fayette, Iowa.