WAVERLY, IOWA – Led by the play of freshman Jack Evans, sophomore Jacob Zosel, and junior JJ Cooney, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team made significant improvement and jumped up two spots with a third place team finish at the Upper Iowa Invitational which concluded Sunday at the Prairie Links Golf Club.  For the second time in three competitions, USF placed third or higher as a team.

On the par 72, 6,614-yard course, USF finished at 40 over par with a two-round total of 616 (326-290). But after carding a 326 on Sunday in windy and cold conditions, USF turned it around in a big way. The Cougars had the second-best round on Sunday with a 290, just two shots over par as a team. Upper Iowa, which won the tourney with a 28 over par 605 (316-288), had an even total of 288 on Sunday. Minnesota State was second overall with a 29 over par total of 605 (313-292). USF was third followed by St. Cloud State at 46 over par at 622 (317-305) and then Bemidji State at 51 over par at 627 (319-308) and Augustana at 62 over par at 638 (334-304).   

"The team came back strong today. I was proud of the guys on the way they approached the golf course after challenging conditions (wind and cold) on Saturday," said USF Director of Men's and Women's Golf Sam Vosler. "There was about 10 miles per hour less wind today which was a big difference with commitment into our shots and a few more opportunities to make some birdies," he said.

Evans, who was 23^rd after day one, jumped up 15 spots as he shot a career-best three-under par 69 and finished at 153 (84-69). Evans, who opened at 83, had a previous high of 70 in the second round of the Lindenwood Invitational on March 25. The round by Evans ties a season-best for USF with Zosel, who had a 69 at the BSU Invitational (first round) on Sept. 10, 2018.

After opening with an 83 on Saturday, Zosel carded a two-under par 70 to also finish at 153 (83-70) and work himself into a tie for eighth overall. He was just one shot over his season-best round.

Cooney, who was 10^th after the first round, finished in a tie with eighth place with five others including Zosel and Evans. Cooney finished at 153 (80-73) with rounds of 80 and 73 as he came in nine over par.

"I thought Jack (Evans) and Jacob (Zosel) played excellent golf today. They were patient but aggressive at the right time. All the guys showed me grit this weekend. We had a few too many big numbers on the first day. However we came back to shoot a 290, which was the second lowest round of the day. It serves as great momentum heading into the conference preview next week," added Vosler.

Junior Brenden Bassing, who was ninth after day one, finished at 158 (79-79) with consistent rounds of 79 and 79. He finished tied for 16^th.  Also for USF, junior Blake Berry moved up two spots to 38^th as he finished in 169 (91-78). However, he had a 13-shot improvement from day one to day two. Berry opened with a 91 but came home in a six-over par round of 78.  

Next for USF will be the Central Region Preview, hosted by Bemidji State, at Shoal Creek Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo. After that competition, USF will participate in the NSIC Championship on April 19-21 at the same golf course.