April 24, 2002

Complete Results

SUNRIVER, Ore. - Despite shooting its best-ever team score for the third straight day, the UNLV women's golf team slipped into fifth place after the final round of the Mountain West Conference Championship.

The Rebels (305-303-297-905) trimmed six strokes off of Tuesday's school-record total, but that wasn't enough to maintain their four-shot lead over BYU (309-303-288-900). The Cougars blistered the par-71 Meadows Course for a four-over 288.

"I'm a little disappointed that we lost ground, but at the same time, we should allow ourselves to enjoy the fact that we played our best tournament of the year at conference," UNLV head coach Kelley Hester said. "We improved every day, and for that I'm very proud. This is a good place for us to pick up and begin next year."

New Mexico (293-305-284-882) won its third straight conference crown, shooting even par in the final round to race past both San Diego State (296-298-299-893) and Colorado State (301-296-301-898). CSU's Lynette Duran (72-70-74-216) held on to win the individual title.

The Rebels' team score was not the only UNLV record to fall on Wednesday. Junior Erin Borcherts (75-74-71-220) topped her own low 18 score of 72, shot earlier this spring. She fired an even par 71 in the final round to tie for fourth overall.

Borcherts wasn't the only Rebel to card a career best. Christine Hentzner (77-77-74-228) turned in her career low round with a 74 on Wednesday, her low 54 with a total of 228, and her highest ever finish as a Rebel at 17th.

Hwanhee Lee (75-74-76-225) added a second top-10 finish, tying for 10th as one of three Rebels to shoot a final round 76. Tina Mabanta (78-78-76-232) tied for 18th overall, and Autumn Monteiro (83-80-76-239) finished 25th.

A bid to the NCAA Regional is unlikely but possible for the Rebels, who will have to wait until the field is announced on Monday, April 29 to learn their fate.