Oct. 5, 2004

MURRAY, KY. -

The Southeast Missouri State men's golf team couldn't catch their Ohio Valley Conference opponents and finished third at the MSU Invitational at the Frances E. Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray Kentucky. Southeast finished at a +17, 869, just behind Morehead State (+15, 867) and host school Murray State (+5, 857).

Senior Matt Hillis made a late run to finish second in the individual race. He hit a final round 69 (two under par) to finish at 211 (-2). His final round score of 69 was the second best score at the invite. The second place finish is Hillis' third straight top-six finish of the year.

Hillis finished sixth at the Harris Fall Classic and fourth at the Eastern Kentucky Colonel Classic. For the season Hillis is shooting -11 and has seven rounds of par or better, including three rounds in the 60's.

Sophomore Mark Schmitz finished in tenth place with a score of 216 (+3). For Schmitz it's his second top-15 finish of the season.

Fellow sophomore Zack Decker had a strong final round to finish tied for 25th place (+12, 225). Senior Brandon Couch and sophomore Ryan McNiel finished tied for 28th place (+13, 226).

Senior Brian Sheehan finished in 34th place playing unattached with a +15, 228.

Southern Illinois' Kyle Hosick won the individual title by shooting a final round, 67. He finished 5-under par with a 208.

Next for the Southeast golf team is the Ironhorse Intercollegiate Invitational in Tuscola, Ill. The invite will be held at the Ironhorse Golf Course October 11-12.