Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational Final Results

MUNCIE, Ind. - Sophomore Garret Buckley carded a season-low 70 to lead the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team on the final day of the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational in Muncie, Ind.

Loyola wrapped up play at the two-day event with a final-round team tally of 376, matching its score from Friday's second round. The Ramblers finished in a tie for ninth place in the team standings with a 54-hole total of 1,136 (384-376-376). Host Ball State (360-359-367=1,086) held off Cleveland State (362-364-367=1,093) to capture the team title, while Valparaiso's Ryan Wenzler (69-72-73=214) finished atop the individual leaderboard.

"Another week of building confidence for us," Loyola Director of Golf Erik Hoops said. "Good to see Garret improving and PJ (Riner) still playing strong. All the others did some really good things this week and, more importantly, are feeling good about their good stretches. Few more days to work on the negatives and we will be ready for MVC's next week."

Buckley turned in his strongest 18-hole performance of the season today in Eastern Indiana. The Novi, Mich. product sank a team-best three putts for birdie on the day en route to shaving a stroke off of his previous season low round of 71. Buckley finished as part of a tie for 16th place, just three shots outside of the top ten, with a two-day total of 220 (77-73-70).

Senior PJ Riner continued his solid play of late, carding a three-over-par 73 to close the event in tie for 31st at 224 (74-77-73). The Johns Creek, Ga. native has now fired six consecutive rounds in the 70s or lower. Freshman Orion Yamat fired his second 77 of event to earn a share of 48th with a 229 (76-77-76), while sophomore Kenny Mleko carded the same score to claim 55th at 231 (77-77-77).

Junior Michael Valletti and freshman Zach Hoskins rounded out the Rambler lineup for the day. Valletti recorded an 80 to finish in a tie for 66th as he brought his total to 236 (80-76-80). Hoskins fired a final-round 82 that saw him claim 70th with a 240 (85-73-82).

Loyola will now turn its attention to the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship. Wichita State will play host to this year's edition of the event, April 25-26, in Hutchinson, Kan.