Led by freshman Jay McBride, the Missouri State men's golf team finished 11th in the 17-team Ron Smith/USF Invitational in Dade City, Fla., to open its spring season.  McBride tied for 13th in the tournament after shooting 69-73-77--219 while the Bears shot 307-294-306--907 as a team in three trips around the Lake Jovita Country Club layout.

Middle Tennessee State led the team race from start to finish, posting 288-292-289--869 to cruise to a 12-shot victory over runnerup Jacksonville State.  Columbus State was third, followed by Florida Southern and Nebraska rounding out the top five.  Marquette's Mike Van Sickle fired three rounds of 71 to finish with a 213 total, one better than first-round leader Ben Spitz of Rhode Island and second-round leader Jose Toledo of New Orleans. 

McBride had been in second place after each of the first two rounds, slipped on the final day, but was still low for the Bears.  Senior Matt Sullivan recorded 79-71-76--226 to tie for 35th, while Damaso Carrera tied for 42nd with 78-73-76--227.  Junior John Cronly and freshman Matt Cermak tied for 77th with 237 totals.

The Bears return to action Mar. 18-20 at the Diablo Grande Intercollegiate in Patterson, Calif.