BEMIDJI, MINN. - Led by sophomore Jack Evans (T-11th), the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team finished in a tie for sixth place at the Bemidji State Invitational which concluded Tuesday at the Bemidji Town & Country Club.

Evans finished the tournament as the top-ranked Cougar at a tie for 11^th as he carded a two-day total of 149 (+4 to par, 76-73), which is the second best outing in his collegiate career (75-70-145, Watkins Invite). Evans, who jumped from an opening day total of 76 to 73 led the Cougars to a team total of 614 (308-306). USF was tied with Manitoba, which had a 614 with rounds of 313 and 301.

During the rainy first round on Monday, the Cougars carded a 308. On Tuesday, the Cougars were able to finish two strokes better than Monday and recorded a team score of 306.

Minot State won the team title as they finished with a total of 588 (295-293) which was just three strokes better than the second place team and host, Bemidji State at 585 (296-295). In the tourney, the third through fifth place teams were all separated by four strokes, with Concordia-St. Paul claiming third at 602 (305-297). Concordia-Moorhead finished two strokes behind the Golden Bears at 604 (304-300) and edged St. Cloud State, which carded a 605 (304-301).

Aside from Evans, senior JJ Cooney finished six-over par, 150 (75-75) for a 14th place tie and has shot 75 or better in all four rounds this season.

Golfing as an individual, senior Blake Berry finished with a two-day total of 153 (80-73) to earn a tie for 23rd. He opened with an 80 and improved on day two by seven strokes as he carded a 73, which was his second best total of the season (72, round two, Watkins Invite).

Senior Brenden Bassing had a total of 75 in the first round, but tallied a total of 83 in the second round to finish 35th as he shot a 14-over par, 158.

Rounding out the Cougars were sophomore Nathan Woodall and junior Jacob Zosel, who had tournament totals of 161 (84-77) and 163 (82-81), respectively. Both Woodall and Zosel made improvement from day one to day two. Woodall lowered his round from 84-to-77 while Zosel cut one shot off his total as he had an 82 followed up with an 81.
 

"Overall, there are a lot of positives to take away from the tournaments this week," said USF Head Men's Golf Coach Tavia Rutherford. "We had a great first outing which set the bar high for the team. Today, we struggled on the putting surface. I know that this team is capable of playing better than our showing here. The biggest difference between Winona and Bemidji was a lot to do with fatigue and short game. The plan is to rest and recover before we start preparations for our next tournament down in Oklahoma."

The Cougars will next compete at Monkey Island, Okla., on Sept. 22-24 to tak part in the Missouri Southern State Fall Invite.