Oct. 27, 2009

Results

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The No. 17 UNLV men's golf team shot a final-round 6-under-par 278 on Tuesday and won the team title at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate, which was played at the 7,074-yard, par-71 New Mexico State University Golf Course.

UNLV, which led by just a stroke heading into the final round of play, finished the tournament at 23-under 829 for an eight-shot victory. It marks the team's second win of the fall season, which wrapped up for the Rebels today. Washington State shot a final-round 1-over 285 to finish at 15-under and in second place. Kansas State finished third at 9-under, host and last year's tournament champion New Mexico State finished fourth at 8-under, while North Texas and Santa Clara both tied for fifth at even par.

UNLV sophomore Derek Ernst shot a 1-under 70 on Tuesday and tied for medalist honors with New Mexico State's Timothy Madigan at 9-under 204. Madigan fired a 6-under 65 during the final round. UNLV freshman Kevin Penner finished one stroke back in second place after a final-round 68. Since there was no playoff, Ernst gets credited with an individual tournament victory, marking his second such instance of the season.

"I am pleased with the win, especially with our younger guys playing so well," said UNLV head coach Dwaine Knight. "Derek getting another individual win is great. I thought our team played very consistent.

"We didn't have the real big low round, but we were consistent throughout the tournament and played solid enough today to win. Two victories out of five tournaments for us this fall is great and it will hopefully give us some momentum heading into the spring season."

Other Rebel players: sophomore Colby Smith (69) finished tied for 12th at 4-under 209, senior Eddie Olson (71) tied for 21st at 1-under 212 and senior Brett Kanda (71) tied for 24th at even-par 213.

The spring season will get underway for UNLV at the PING Arizona Intercollegiate in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 1-2.