ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV women's golf team finished third at the season-opening Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational on Tuesday. The Rebels had the best third round of the 18 schools, a team score of 5-under-par 287, to surge to third place with a final score of 6-under 870 at New Mexico's par-73, 6,315-yard Championship Course.

"This is a great start to our season," said women's golf head coach Amy Bush-Herzer. "We are looking to build on this start as we progress through the season."

Going into the third round, the Rebels started the day in fourth place at 1-under 583 (291-292). Freshman Kaylee Benton in her first collegiate invitational tied for the second best final round score of 4-under 69 to finish the invitational tied in eighth place overall at 4-under 215 (75-71-69). Sophomore Mackenzie Raim (73-71-73) and junior Alexandra Kaui (71-74-72) both tied for 12th place at 2-under 217. After withdrawing in the second round yesterday, sophomore Harley Dubsky posted an even-par score of 73 in the third round.

Also competing for UNLV were freshman Texie June Petchel and junior Vivian Hsuan Chen. Petchel finished the three rounds in 69th place with a score of 15-over 234 (82-76-76), and Chen ended the invitational at 18-over 237 (75-78-84) as an individual.

Stanford won the invitational with a score of 20-under 856 (281-285-290). Northwestern finished second at 10-under 866 (289-289-288). Iowa State (295-292-292) and Oklahoma State (292-293-294) tied for fourth place with scores of 3-over 879. The Cardinals' Sarah Cho was the medalist of the invitational, notching an 8-under 211 (68-74-69).

The invitational featured 18 teams and 104 individuals. The Rebels will be back in action next week on September 21-22 at the Mercedes Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn.