CHULA VISTA, Calif. - Saint Mary's took advantage of their nearly four-week break between events and came out with a solid 13-under performance to finish in fifth place in the Lamkin Invitational. They finished even par as a team in the final round to solidify their first top-five finish since early October. The sixteen team field featured several ranked programs including 25th ranked San Diego State who ran away with the team title at 43-under-par.

The Gaels put together quality rounds to record their first top-five finish since October and helping lead that charge was junior Zack Missigman. Missigman recorded six birdies in his opening round to lead the team with a 68 (-4). Also under-par in the opening round was Aidan Lee who battled to finish 2-under-par and contribute to the team's 9-under first round. 

The Gaels had three more players in red figures in the second round on Monday to finish 4-under-par and remain in fifth place heading into Tuesday's final round. Missigman recorded a 69 (-3) while Lee got off to a hot start with four birdies in his first six holes. Late bogeys to close the second round brought Saint Mary's back down to 4-under -par to stay in fifth place with 18 holes to play. 

Saint Mary's was within ten strokes of third place heading into Tuesday's final round and were able to overtake Santa Clara with a final round of 274 (E) to finish as the second highest team from the WCC. 22nd ranked BYU climbed four spots after a 12-under-par performance to overtake the Gaels for fourth place but a late eagle from Aidan Lee on his final hole helped solidify their fifth place finish over ranked Colorado State, New Mexico and Notre Dame.  

After starting two-over through his first four holes, Lee kicked it into high gear, rattling off five birdies and an eagle on the par four fifth to finish 5-under-par, the team's low individual round of the week. Connor Reis and Avery Lazarski recorded their low rounds of the week at even par to help the team to their top-five finish.  

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's will head to the Pacific Northwest to compete in the Duck Invitational hosted by Oregon on March 24th. Full tournament information and live scoring links for the event can be found at smcgaels.com. 

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