March 1, 2012

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Freshman Dana Finkelstein has earned the Mountain West Golfer of the Month for February, announced the conference office today.

"It's a great accomplishment," said Finkelstein. "I felt I played really well, hit a lot of good shots and it paid off. I was really focused out there and enjoy playing Cascata very much, it's a great test playing out there."

Finkelstein opened up the spring with a third-place finish at the 2012 UNLV Spring Invitational, carding a 54-hole total of 4-over par 220 (72-74-74) at Cascata Golf Club Feb. 20-21.

The Chandler, Ariz. native tallied nine birdies over the two-day event, including four in each of the first two rounds. Her 4-over total was the second lowest score of the year and gave her a second straight top-10 finish and third top-15 finish of the year.

Finkelstein's performance helped UNLV to its highest finish this season, second behind No. 5 Arizona. The performance marked the Rebels' fifth top-10 tournament finish in six events.

Through 15 rounds this year, Finkelstein ranks 12th in the MW in stroke average at 75.73.