Bengals Claim Co-Championship at Bradley Coyote Creek Invitational

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Idaho State made up a three-stroke deficit in the final round to share the team title with host Bradley at the Bradley Coyote Creek Invitational on Monday at Coyote Creek Golf Club. It is the program's first tournament title since the Bengals won the 2000 Bengal Invitational.

The Bengals went 307-314-308 for a 65-over 929 to tie Bradley atop the nine-team field. That total ranks 15th all-time in program history for a 54-hole score. Idaho State's 36-hole total of 621 ranks 12th all-time, and it had the Bengals second entering the final round, three strokes behind Bradley. Their closing 308 was the second-best team round of the day and three strokes better than Bradley's 311, which pulled the Bengals into a share of the title.

"This week in Illinois the team battled a tough coyote creek course," remarked Head Coach Todd Loveland. "I could not be prouder of how the team performed. With 2 top 10 finishers and a top 5 finisher it really shows the depth of our team right now. I feel our best golf is in front of us still."

Bengal Bites

Andrea Chin led Idaho State, tying for fourth at 15-over 231 (76-80-75). Her closing 75 was the Bengals' low round of the tournament and moved her up seven spots on the final day. It included a birdie 2 on the par-3 sixth and a birdie on the par-4 16th.

Sarah Chen tied for sixth at 16-over 232 (78-78-76) and climbed five spots in the final round. She played the front nine in even-par 36 twice, in the first and third rounds, and finished with five birdies for the tournament, including a birdie 2 on the par-3 11th in the second round.

Kaylie Parola tied for ninth at 18-over 234 (77-77-80), her third straight top-10 finish. She opened with back-to-back 77s and was tied for sixth through 36 holes.

Izzy Hassebrock tied for 16th at 22-over 238 (76-79-83). Her opening 76 tied Chin for the team's best first round, and she added five birdies for the tournament.

Venus Yong tied for 22nd at 26-over 242 (83-82-77). She cut five strokes off her second-round score in the final round and moved up six spots, and her 77 counted toward Idaho State's title-clinching 308.

Playing as an individual, Erica Wang tied for 39th at 39-over 255 (83-82-76). She led all Bengals with eight birdies, four of them in the opening round.

Team Notes

• The co-championship is Idaho State's first tournament title since the 2000 Bengal Invitational, where the Bengals topped a seven-team field at 986 (322-325-339) and Candace Cordingly took medalist honors at 239 (75-78-86).
• Idaho State's 929 ranks 15th on the program's all-time list for a 54-hole team total, and its 36-hole 621 ranks 12th.
• The Bengals trailed Bradley by three strokes through 36 holes and outscored the Braves by three in the final round to tie.
• Idaho State placed three golfers in the top 10 in Chin (T4), Chen (T6) and Parola (T9).
• Parola has finished in the top 10 in three straight tournaments.
• All five counting Bengals finished in the top 22.
• Chin, Chen and Yong each moved up at least five spots in the final round.
• The Bengals combined for 29 birdies, led by Wang (8), Chen (5) and Hassebrock (5).

Final Team Standings

Idaho State Individual Results

Next Up

Idaho State returns to action next week at the Golf Iconic Invitational in Las Cruces, New Mexico for the final tournament of the fall season