Feb. 24, 2015 Complete Results
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Junior Joey Johnson fired a 1-under-par 71 to lead the Missouri State men's golf team in the final round of the Loyola Golf Invitational sponsored by Neville Kovacs Group Tuesday.
The Bears turned in their best round of the tournament, shooting an 11-over-par 299 to close the three-day event at 48-over 912 in 14th place overall. MSU shaved five more strokes off of its total from Monday in the final 18 at the 7.015-yard par-72 Palm Valley Golf Club.
"We showed some improvement each round which was a positive this week," said Missouri State head coach Neal Stafford. "We just need to keep getting competitive rounds under our belt and keep building through the spring. I'm proud of Joey for starting off the spring with a solid showing. He putted very well today, making five birdies."
Johnson matched his season-low, 18-hole score and finished at 3-over 219 to tie for 14th place. Starting on No.12, he birdied holes No. 14, 2, 3, 5 and 9 and was one of nine golfers to shoot under par in the final round of the tournament. The Ozark, Mo., native, also carded 71 in the second round of the Jim Rivers Intercollegiate on Oct. 20 in Choudrant, La.
Freshman Brad Carpenter shot a 4-over 76 Tuesday to finish in a tie for 51st overall. He was one stroke off of his 54-hole career best at 227. Carpenter birdied the par-5 fifth and 11th holes.
Senior Mark Karlsen shot a 77 in the final round for a total of 19-over 235 for the tournament to tie for 80th overall.
Junior Brik Brauburger registered Missouri State's second best round of the day at 3-over 75. He collected two birdies - both on par 4s - and finished with a three-round total of 21-over 237 for a tie for 85th place.
Freshman John Fuchs shot a third-round 81 for a 54-hole score of 241, good for a tie for 93rd.
Utah Valley led wire-to-wire to claim the team title at 4-over 868. Utah and Gonzaga were six strokes back. Arizona State's Broc Johnson (9-under 207) came from two shots down at the start of the day to earn individual medalist honors over Obe Ayton of St. John's and Brayden Eriksen of Utah Valley, who each were 4-under par.
DePaul and UMKC rounded out the top five in the team standings at 11-over 875 and 14-over 878, respectively.
The Bears topped Bradley (52-over 916), SIUE (63-over 927) and Navy (66-over 930). Missouri State returns to action March 9-10 at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tenn.
