Nov. 2, 2005

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (SMU) - The SMU women's golf team held on for a hard-fought seventh-place finish at the Las Vegas Founders Collegiate Showdown at Anthem Country Club, finishing just one shot out of sixth place despite playing without one of its top players.

Playing without Kristina Rothengatter, who had to undergo an emergency appendectomy late Monday night after falling ill just before the tournament started, the team pulled together and came through in Tuesday's round with a school-record 3-under par 285 and moved into the top half of the team finishers. SMU's combined tally of 576 over the last two rounds was second-best in the 15-team field, finishing behind only champion UCLA. Their seventh-place finish overall was just one shot back of national No. 6 Arkansas.

Laura Cross and Lacey Jones tied for 16th at 1-over 217 to lead the `Stangs. Jennifer Ackerson shot 2-over 218 and tied for 22nd, while freshman Kate Ackerson carded a 15-over 231 to tie for 55th.

"Under the circumstances, I thought the team performed very well," said Coch Todd Selders. "For those four to step up and play like they did was tremendous. I am really proud of them."

For complete results, click here.