St. George, Utah – Stetson men's golf coach Larry Watson said his team settled in today during the second, and final, round at the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational at the Sunbrook Golf Course.
 
After posting what Watson said were too many "others" in Monday's opening round, the Hatters played a more even round on Tuesday. The result for Stetson was surpassing four teams in the 11-team field to finish the event in sixth place.
 
"I am really proud of them," Watson said. "They played wonderful today and kept it in line. We are excited and looking forward to the trip to Houston in two weeks."
 
Senior Baylor Payne earned his second top 10 finish of the season, posting a two-under par final round score of 70 to tie for eighth overall in the tournament.
 
"The tournament and course were neat," Payne said. "It was a change of scenery for us to be out in the mountains. The course was in good shape and we enjoyed playing there. Some of the holes were a little wonky and it was a test off the tee, but if you put it on the fairway you could post some low numbers."
 
Payne, who opened with a one-over 73 on Monday, said the tournament turned for him after opening the second round with a bogey.
 
"I bogeyed the first hole, but then had three birdies over the next four holes," Payne said. "That settled me down so that I could finish strong. We are pleased with how we finished the round today."
 
Northern Colorado, which posted the low team round of the tournament on Monday with a six-under par 282, held off Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday to take the tournament crown by one shot. The next three teams in the standings were all from Utah, with the Hatters finishing sixth.
 
Payne's one-under par total score of 143 left him five shots off the lead at the end. Cooper Sears from Middle Tennessee and Jake Vincent from host Southern Utah tied for medalist honors with matching six-under par scores of 138. Overall, 12 players in the field of 71 finished under par.
 
Stetson junior Chris Williard bounced back from an opening round 79 with an even par 72 on Tuesday to tie for 30^th in the final standings. Freshman Carson Tewell, who had the low opening round score for Stetson with a 70, struggled in the final round, posting an 83 to finish tied for 37^th with a 153.
 
Fellow freshmen Michael Sumner and Ben Resnick both improved by at least five shots in the second round. After matching 83s on Monday, Sumner posted a final round 77 to tie for 54^th and Resnick had a final round 78 to tie for 57^th.
 
The Hatters will return to action in two weeks when they travel to Houston, Texas, to play in the Houston Baptist Spring Invitational. That event will be held February 24-26 at Cypresswood Golf Club.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.