FARMERS BRANCH, Texas – Junior Caitlin Sims fired a 1-over-par 74 (35-39) in Tuesday's third and final round of the Bradley Spring Break Invitational to finish in a fifth place tie on the individual leaderboard at the par-73, 6,286-yard Brookhaven Country Club.
After shooting an impressive 1-under-par 35 on the front nine, which included two birdies, Sims carded a 3-over-par 39 on the back. The junior's 74 was the third-best score of the day in the tournament. Sims finished the tournament with a 227 (78-75-74).
As a team, Illinois State concluded the event in seventh place after recording a 320 on Tuesday. The Redbirds finished with a three-round total of 942 (319-303-320). Houston Baptist topped the 16-team field with a 909 (310-301-298), 12 strokes ahead of second place Akron.
Senior Kiley Walsh finished the invitational with an 82 (41-41) in the final round and tallied two birdies on the front nine. Walsh concluded the event with a 238 (79-77-82), earning her a tie for 36th place. Sophomore Paige Seiser finished with a three-round total of 243 (81-75-87). She shot an 87 (46-41) in the final round, carding one birdie on the back nine.
Sophomore Morgan Savage scored her best round of the tournament on Tuesday with a 5-over-par 78 (38-40). The sophomore ended the invitational with a 244 (81-85-78). Senior Abby Luchtenburg an 86 (43-43) and finished the tournament with a 247 (85-76-86).
Freshman Tatum King was one Redbird who competed as an in individual. King shot a 90 (46-44) in the final round and ended the tournament with a 252 (80-82-90). The freshman produced one birdie on the back nine of the final round.
"This was a tough day," said head coach Darby Sligh. "It is always difficult to hold your position or make a move without four scores. We have a lot of things to continue working on including par-5 scoring and sharpening short game, but overall we are moving in the right direction. Caitlin came out on fire this morning finishing in a tie for fifth place. She has put so much work in and it is huge for her that she sees it paying off. We are back in action early next week so I hope we can keep some of this momentum going."
The Redbirds return to action March 19-20 when they travel to Williamsburg, VA to compete in William & Mary's Kingsmill Intercollegiate.
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