Oct. 24, 2006
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -
Senior Matt Miller continued his steady play, firing a final-round, two-under-par 70 to lead the Illinois State men's golf team to a sixth-place finish at the Oral Roberts University Shootout, Tuesday in Broken Arrow, Okla. Miller finished the tournament tied for sixth-place, shooting a three-round total of 216 (71, 75, 70) and five shots off the lead.
The Redbirds finished with a three-round team total of 896 (302, 297, 297). Oklahoma City won the tournament, finishing with a three-round total of 874. Missouri-Kansas City finished one shot back in second, while Missouri State finished in third with a team total of 882. Southern Illinois finished in fourth place, and tournament-host Oral Roberts finished in fifth with a three-round total of 892. Missouri-Kansas City's Alex Hogben took home medalist honors with a three-round total of 211 (71, 71, 69).
Sophomore Joe Emerich fired his career-low 18 hole score in the final-round, shooting a one-under-par 71 to end the tournament tied for 16th with a three-round total of 222 (76, 75, 71). Sophomore Ben Murphy finished tied for 18th, posting his highest career finish with a total of 223 (79, 71, 73). Freshman Tommy Bliefnick finished tied for 46th with a three-round total of 235 (76, 76, 83). Competing in his first career tournament, sophomore Matt Ryba (63rd) ended the day with a total of 249 (79, 84, 86).
Head coach Ray Kralis was glad to see the finishes from Miller, Emerich and Murphy, but feels the tournament will serve as a building block for the rest of the Redbirds' season.
"This trip was much bigger than this event," said Kralis. "This trip will play a role in determining how we finish the rest of the fall and into the spring. I leave here feeling very positive, because we were one score away from making a move. I'm not questioning the effort or commitment from the group. I think we've learned a lot about ourselves and what we are capable of accomplishing."
The Redbirds will wrap up their fall schedule next week when they travel to Peoria, Ill., for the Bradley Invite, on Oct. 30-31. Kralis is excited to get back into competition and believes the `Birds will be ready to compete at a high level.
"We've got one more tournament coming up," said Kralis. "I can't wait to get back out there, because I think we are going to finish the fall season off in a special way. I am also very encouraged about we where will be in the spring. We will be strong and we will be competitive and it will just get better."
