KANSAS CITY, MO. – Senior Jacob Zosel led three players in the top 22 as the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team earned its fourth straight top-five finish by claiming fifth place in the team standings at the NSIC Preview Invitational which concluded on a windy Tuesday at Shoal Creek Golf Club.  

Central Missouri, which was led by medalist Thomas Henson with a one-over par 143 (72-71), won the tournament with a 23-over par 591 (298-293) and was seven shots up on Missouri Western, which was second at 30-over par 598 (305-293). Arkansas Tech was third in the team standings with a 32-over par 600 (303-297) with Henderson State, fourth at 37-over par 605 (308-297) and six shots ahead of USF.  Despite the windy weather, USF had a solid tournament with a second round bettering round one by seven shots. As a result, the Cougars finished at 611 (309-302) or 43-over par.

"The guys had one goal in mind and that was to be in the moment and enjoy the process today," said USF Assistant Golf Coach Brennan Thompson, whose squad heads to "The Mule" at the Mules National Golf Club in Warrensburg, Mo., on April 5-6. "They handled their business and proved that they can compete with the top teams in the country. I am extremely proud of the senior leadership and the entire team's ability to contribute each round when it was needed most. We look to build on our improvements as we head into the home stretch of the golf season," he said. 

Zosel, who had his second top-10 finish in two weeks, finished in a tie for ninth place as he jumped up 20 spots on the leader board following the first round on Monday. He finished at a seven-over par 149 (78-71), which included an even par 71 in the final round. Zosel had three birdies including the par five 536-yard ninth hole, the par four 360-yard 12^th hole and the 319-yard par four 16^th hole as he opened at 36 and closed with one-under 35 in an 18-hole round that included 12 pars. Zosel, who has had a round of 79 or lower in each of his past 10 rounds, totaled five birdies and 21 pars in the two-round tourney.

Senior JJ Cooney made a big move on Tuesday as he jumped 11 spots to finish in a tie for 18^th. He had a two-round total of 10-over par 152 (78-74) as he cut four shots from his first day total.  In his final round total of 74 Cooney had a team-best four birdies as he opened at an even par 35 and closed as 3-over 39. He recorded birdies on the 185-yard par three fifth hole, the 360-yard par four 12^th hole, the 527-yard par five 13^th hole and the 319-yard par four 16^th hole. He also carded eight pars on the day. In total. Cooney, who has had a 76 or lower in eight of his past 12 rounds, had five birdies and 19 pars. 

With a two-round total of 11–over par 153 (76-77), senior Brenden Bassing had a consistent round as he continued his solid play and placed in a tie for 22nd. In nine of his past 11 rounds, he has shot a 77 or lower. In shooting a final round of 77 he opened at 39 and closed with a 38. He had 10 pars to go with a birdie on the 427-yard par four second hole. He totaled two birdies in the tournament and recorded a team-best 22 pars.

Tied for 79^th was sophomore Gavin Metz, who finished at 14-over par 162 (77-85). In his final round of 85 (40-45) he had five pars to go with birdies on the 527-yard par five 13^th hole and the 319-yard par four 16^th hole. Over the two days, he registered 18 pars.

With a 24-over par total of 166 (86-80) junior Jack Evans finished in a tie for 101st. Evans moved up eight spots in the leader board as he had dropped six shots over his first-day total of 86. He recorded a birdie on 319-yard par four 16^th hole to go with nine pars. As a result he had two birdies and 17 pars during his two rounds of play. 

Junior Hank Eggebraaten finished at 37-over par 179 (91-88). Eggebraaten showed improvement on day two by cutting off three shots from his first day total. In shooting an 88 (48-40), he had six pars and a birdie on the 170-yard par three 17^th hole. For the tourney he had that birdie plus 10 pars.