WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (SMU) – Alex Higgs earned runner-up honors at the Southwestern Invitation Tuesday, finishing the two-day event at 9-under-par (207). The senior paced the Mustangs to a fifth-place finish (+6, 870) on the team leaderboard.

"I am very proud of Alex, as this was his best finish," SMU head coach Jason Enloe said. "He is playing well, and I hope he can continue to lead the group."

The second-place finish is the best of Higgs' career. The Overland Park, Kan., native fired a 3-under-par 69 in the final round to climb two positions on the leaderboard. Higgs finished ahead of nine top-100 golfers, including No. 7 Sean Crocker (-4, 212) and No. 25 Rick Hoey (-6, 210). Higgs finished one stroke behind the tournament winner, No. 35 Sahith Theegala (-10, 206).

Fellow senior Andrew Buchanan shot a third-round 4-over-par 76 to finish the tournament tied for 24th (+5, 70-75-76—221). Daniel Connolly completed the tournament at 6-over-par (70-74-78—222).

As a team, the Mustangs were 6-over-par with a three-round score of 870. Host school Pepperdine won the event with a 21-under-par 843. No. 6 Southern California (USC) finished second (-5, 859), while Lipscomb University finished third (+2, 866).

"Our guys showed signs of playing well this week, just too many small mistakes kept us from having a great finish," Enloe said.

Up next, the Mustangs head to Las Vegas to compete in the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters. The three-day tournament (March 6-8) will be held at the Southern Highlands Golf Club. For more information, visit SMUMustangs.com.