LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The NM State women's golf program erased a nine stroke deficit Wednesday, but ultimately came up just short at the Aggie Invitational played at the NMSU Golf Course.
The charge was sparked by junior Amelia McKee who recorded three birdies and an eagle from holes seven through 11. The run helped McKee erase an early double bogey, and propelled McKee to a final round 70.
Trailing Incarnate Word by as many as nine strokes, NM State made a late charge surging as high as -6 overall. The Aggies led Incarnate Word by two strokes with two holes remaining, but a double-bogey on hole number two and birdie by Ellen Nicholas gave UIW a one shot victory.
Nicholas held off McKee to earn the individual title. Nicholas shot a final round 69 to finish at -8 (208).
Alison Gastelum fired a birdie on 18 to that finished her round at even par. The birdie gave the Aggies a two shot lead with two holes remaining.
Alex Quihuis nailed a 35 footer on the first hole to secure her final round 71. The putt saved the Aggies one shot lead heading into the final hole of the tournament.
Quihuis shot +3 for the tournament and finished tied for 14th, while Gastlum fired an even par 216 to finish tied for eighth.
UIW fired a bogey four on the par-three second to hold off the Aggies by one shot.
As a team the Aggies finished with three consecutive rounds of even par (288) to finish 12 strokes clear of Boise State (+12) who finished third. Northern Arizona shot the round of the day (-3, 285) to finish fourth (+13), followed by South Dakota State who shot a final round 294 (+6) to finish at +10.
Seattle U shot a final round +10 (298) falling to sixth. Entering the final round with the lead at -6, Keisha Lugito shot a final round 74 (+2) to finish in third. The Redhawks finished at +16 overall.
UC-Riverside and Long Beach State shared seventh at +26 overall, while Santa Clara (+34) and UC Irvine (+41) ended up ninth and 10th respectively.
Dixie State (+44), UTRGV (+44), UT Arlington (+52), Texas A&M CC (+61), Southern Utah (+65), Montana State (+65), North Dakota (+67), Stephen F. Austin (+92) and CSU Bakersfield (+132) finished 11th through 20th.
HEAD COACH DANNY BOWEN:
"We fought really well as a team all week, not just today. It was great to put together three great team rounds and have a chance. Today's fight was amazing. We went down nine or 10 shots and a couple hours later we were up two or three. It was great to see the team play with so much confidence. This showed that we're capable of putting four strong counting scores as a collective group. This hopefully will give us confidence to continue to play well next week."
On McKee's performance:
"Amelia went on a pretty good run towards the turn that allowed her to get back into the tournament. That gave her a chance at the individual title and helped our team score. It was fun to see her play with the fire and passion that she did today. That's what we look for her to do the rest of the season. You're always a little more fired up to play at home, but if we can get her to play like that the rest of the season we'll be in good shape."
