Elk Grove, Calif. - Picking up right where he left off from the day prior, junior Drew Bender put together one of his best rounds of the 2014 season to finish in a tie for third at the Sacramento State Intercollegiate on Tuesday, Mar. 4. The finish for Bender was his best career finish in three seasons as he just missed out on a share of the tournament title, finishing two strokes off the final pace of -4 set by a pair of players. 

As a team, the Tigers finished the tournament in seventh place overall as the team shot a +8, 296 on the final day of play to end the tournament at +25. Northern Colorado took the tournament title at two-over par.

For Bender, a hot second round continued on day two of the intercollegiate as he tallied a team-best six birdies throughout the round. Bender was particularly impressive as he neared the turn at nine as the third-year golfer carded three birdies over the final four holes of play on the font nine including back-to-back red numbers on holes 8 & 9. On the back nine, Bender stayed aggressive to card three more birdies including taking advantage of the par-5, 18th, to score one last shot for the day. Overall, Bender posted a -3, 69 for the day to finish two-under for the tournament.

Finishing just behind Bender was his fellow junior, Byron Meth, who steadily went about his business to post another top-10 finish on the season. Meth ended his play at the tournament in a tie for ninth at one-over par. For the day, Meth shot a +1, 73, matching his score from the previous round after going one-under over the first 18 holes of action.

The Tigers are back in action next week as they head to the Bandon Dunes Championships in Bandon, Ore. from Mar. 9-11.