The Missouri Southern golf team finished its first MIAA points event of the season in eighth place last weekend at Old Kinderhook Country Club. The event was hosted by Lincoln University.

Senior Ryan Buerk led the Lions as he shot a final round 75 for a share of 24th on the par 71-course.

Junior Ethan Hutchenson was second on the team, tied for 37th with a third round of 89.

Freshmen Aaron Shoemaker came in the final round with an 81, Spencer Smyth carded a 76 and Connor Neil shot a 79.

Sophomore Taylor Lansford shot a third day 85 for 254 for the three-round tournament.

“Compared to our first tournament, it was definitely a worse outcome for us, but with the time we have off this week we can sharpen up our games and come back in our next event for MIAA points and place better,” said Buerk, “We are finding out slowly who our top players are. We have a much deeper team this year.”

Although it is early in the season, the Lions will have to figure out those top players who will shoot scores good enough to place higher in the tournament to receive more points in the MIAA standings. A key factor that goes into the teams traveling roster.

Central Oklahoma won the first points event of the fall season in a playoff, defeating Central Missouri by two strokes.

Northeastern State finished third with a three-round total of 884, Lindenwood came in fourth at 911 and Washburn rounded out the top five with a two-day total of 919.

Missouri Western came in sixth at 931 and seventh was the University of Nebraska at Kearney with 933.

The Lions shot a total of 948 on the way to finishing ahead of Fort Hays State, the host Blue Tigers, and Southwest Baptist.

Southern will take a week off before heading to Bartlesville, Okla., for the second fall MIAA points event at the 16th Annual NSU Men’s Classic at Hillcrest Country Club starting Sept. 22.