LOXLEY, Ala. – Georgia State shot a final round 309 to finish fifth at the Sun Belt Women's Golf Championship on Wednesday. Senior Maria Palacios led the Panthers with a tie for ninth following a final round 73.
Georgia State finished 71-over for the championship at Steelwood Country Club.
Palacios, coming off her win at the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate just two weeks ago, shot a final round 1-over 73 to finish at 12-over par. She made a pair of birdies on Wednesday.
“This is obviously a tough way for us to end the regular season,” head coach Cathy Mant said. “I am most disappointed for our seniors as I know how much they wanted to win a conference championship and secure a spot in the NCAA Regional.
“Despite the finish, I am proud of the fact that our team never gave up. Maria and Melissa put together fine rounds today and I think that just shows that despite the putts not falling, no one on this team ever gave up and that is something to be proud.”
Junior Lauren Court shot a final-round 79 and tied for 17th at 19-over par.
Senior Melissa Siviter shot her best round of the championship, a 2-over 74 on Wednesday to finish tied for 19th at 20-over.
Senior Laura Sanchez fired a final-round 83 to tie for 27th at 24-over par.
Sophomore Julie Lied rounded out the Panthers line-up with a final-round 83 to finish the 54-hole event at 33-over.
Troy shot a final-round 8-over 296 to win the championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Regional by six strokes. The Trojans finished the event at 32-over, followed by Texas State in second at 38-over. South Alabama finished in third at 58-over with UALR in fourth at 63-over. Georgia State rounded out the top five.
Troy's Fatima Fern Cano topped Texas State's Mara Puisite in a playoff to take the individual title at 5-over par. The two were the lone golfers to break par on Wednesday. Texas State's Lejan Lewthwaite and Troy's Brooke Spinks tied for third at 8-over par. UALR's Sofia Berglund and South Alabama's Ashleigh Ryals tied for fifth at 9-over.
Despite not winning, Georgia State has still won five conference championships in the last 12 years with four runner-up finishes.
