Love and Akin tie for fifth at UALR Women's Golf Classic

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Olivia Love carded and even-par 72 and Karisa Akin ended with a four-over 76 to tie for fifth (out of 99) on Tuesday at the UALR Women's Golf Classic at Diamante Country Club in Hot Springs, Ark. Middle Tennessee posted their best round of the tournament, shooting a 14-over 302 to finish sixth in the 19-team field at 52-over.

"Putting up a 302 is still a bit better than yesterday's scores," head coach Chris Adams said. "These girls know that we have our work cut out for us this season. We had some late bogeys hurt us. We have to be able to finish strong."

Both Love and Akin ended the event at seven-over, four strokes behind of FIU's Laura Stempfle for low medalist honors.

"I think both Karisa and Olivia had great tournaments," Adams said. "They're starting to show some signs of consistency. We played through some rough conditions down here, but they both knew they were in it and finished strong."

Stephanie Smith and Morgan Hale both shot a five-over 77 to finish the event tied for 49th and 74th at 19-over and 24-over, respectively.

Steph Gough carded a six-over 78 to end in a tie for 57th at 21-over.

Competing in the event as an individual, Natalie Chrisopulos posted an eight-over 80 to tie for 70th.

Middle Tennessee will now prepare for play at the Belmont Invitational next week in Nashville, the final regular season event of the season.

TEAM SCORES (of 19)
1. Oral Roberts - 305-304-294=903 (+39)
2. Missouri State - 308-300-297=905 (+41)
3. Arkansas State - 301-305-301=907 (+43)
4. Eastern Michigan - 306-302-302=910 (+46)
5. FIU - 310-300-301=911 (+47)
6. Middle Tennessee - 308-306-302=916 (+52)

MT SCORES (of 99)
T5. Karisa Akin - 73-74-76=223 (+7)
T5. Olivia Love - 77-74-72=223 (+7)
T49. Stephanie Smith - 80-78-77=235 (+19)
T57. Steph Gough - 89-80-78=237 (+21)
T74. Morgan Hale - 79-84-77=240 (+24)

T70. Natalie Chrisopulos - 79-80-80=239 (+23)

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