Bearcats Win Conference Championship

Brescia University made a big move in the final 36 holes and won the 2018 River States Conference Men's Golf Championship, which was held Monday and Tuesday at Lassing Pointe Golf Course in Union, Ky. The Bearcats won the conference for the second time in three years.

Brescia won by 12 shots over runner-up Asbury (Ky.) University. Both of those top two finishers qualify for the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship with the RSC's two automatic bids. The national tournament will be held May 15-18 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

Brescia shot up the leaderboard and took over first place after a score of 311 in the second round. The Bearcats were in seventh place after shooting 321 in the first round. There were a total of 27 holes played on both Monday and Tuesday, meaning the second round spanned both days. With 18 holes remaining, Brescia had a one-shot lead over IU Kokomo, a two-shot lead over WVU Tech and Midway and an eight-shot lead over Asbury.

The Bearcats clinched the title by putting together the best round of any team in the tournament, a final-round 306 to win by 12 shots. Asbury shot a 310 to secure the conference's second bid to nationals with what was the second-best round of the tournament. The Eagles shot 320 in each of the first two rounds.

Brescia put three players in the Top 10 on its way to the team title. Trevor Brown finished third with a 1-over 72 in the final round. Daniel Steele tied for fifth, and Chance England was ninth.

The All-RSC Men's Golf First and Second Teams were named with five players each. The players with the best scores from the fall and spring made the cut. Also named was the RSC Men's Golf Champions of Character Team, which named one player from each team who best exhibits the five character values of NAIA Champions of Character, which are respect, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

ALL-RSC MEN'S GOLF FIRST TEAM

Matthew McCurry – Asbury

Tyler Pearson -- IU East

Austin Mitchell – Midway

Austin Taylor -- Cincinnati Christian

Daniel Steele -- Brescia

ALL-RSC MEN'S GOLF SECOND TEAM

Trevor Brown – Brescia

Max Kaminsky -- Point Park

Kieran Samarakoon -- WVU Tech

Cody French – Midway

Taylor Fletcher -- IU Kokomo

RSC MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM
Isaiah Penley – Alice Lloyd

Ben Campbell – Asbury

Daniel Steele – Brescia

Ryan Bradigan-Barnett – Carlow

Jon Burrows – Cincinnati Christian

Tyler Pearson – IU East

Seth Grimme – IU Kokomo

Josh Koester – Midway

DJ Graham – Ohio Christian

Nick Finoli – Point Park

Jerod Lemaster – Rio Grande

Kieren Samarakoon – WVU Tech