University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

UCO Rallies For National Tourney Berth

5/4/2016 6:50:00 PM

Russ Purser

ALLENDALE, Mich. (May 4) – Scores soared on the final day of the NCAA Division II Central/Midwest Super Regional here Wednesday and Central Oklahoma took advantage to earn a trip to the national tournament.

The Bronchos closed with a 314 – 14 shots higher than its second-round score – behind a trio of 78s, but moved up three spots in the final standings to claim the fifth and final qualifying berth in the three-day, 54-hole tournament at the 6,958-yard, par-71 The Meadows Golf Course.

Only five of the 102 players in the field broke 75 in the final round and no team shot better than 301. Central Missouri won the 19-team event with a 900 total, while Southeastern Oklahoma (901), Bellarmine (908), Tiffin (912) and UCO (913) also advanced to the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships May 17-21 in Denver, Colo.

Logan Gray, Russ Purser and Cody Troutman all shot 78 to lead the Bronchos, with Eli Armstrong adding an 80 and Eric Kline an 83.

"It was tough out there today, but we did what we needed to do," head coach Pat Bates said. "I'm proud of these guys for getting back us to the national tournament and we're excited about the opportunity."

Purser clinched UCO's fifth-place showing by paring the final four holes to cap off a back-nine 38 after opening with a 40.

Gray had 12 pars and six bogeys on the day in his 78, while Troutman had two double bogeys in a front-nine 41 before rebounding with a one-over 37 on the back.

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