PALM HARBOR, Fla. (SMU) – Junior Gray Townsend finished the American Athletic Conference tournament tied for third, Tuesday, after matching the tournament low round. Townsend fired a 3-under-par 68 in the final round to climb six positions on the leaderboard, bringing his three-round total to 213 (E, 73-72-68).

"I am very proud of Gray's performance this week," SMU head coach Jason Enloe said. "He was solid during the first two days and today's round tied the tournament low. This was a great way for him to finish the year."

Starting on the back nine, the Winston-Salem, N.C., native opened the day with birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, before a lone blemish on 12. With a 1-under-par advantage going into the turn, the junior recorded birdies on holes one, two and five. Despite bogeys on No. 7 and No. 8, Townsend rounded off the tournament with a birdie on the ninth hole. This is his second top-three finish of the season.

Townsend was one of four Mustangs to finish in the top-25 overall.

Senior Alex Higgs finished tied for 20th, while fellow senior Andrew Buchanan and freshman Daniel Connolly finished tied for 23rd. Higgs tallied a 3-over-par 74 on the final day to finish with a three-day 223 (+3, 73-76-74). Connolly (+11, 76-76-72—224) used a 1-over-par 72 in the final round to climb 10 positions on the leaderboard, while Buchanan (+11, 78-71-75—224) carded a 4-over-par 75 to finish his collegiate career.

"Thanks to our seniors Alex and Andrew for all of their hard work the last four years," Enloe added.

Jackson Markham tallied a 75 (+4) Tuesday to finish the tournament tied for 37th.

The Mustangs shot 5-over par (289) in the third round, their lowest score of the tournament, and finished with a three-round total of 884 (+32, 300-295-289). SMU finished three strokes back from fifth-place Memphis (+29, 881). USF (+5, 857) won the championship, while Cincinnati and Houston finished tied for second (+20, 872).

"I am really proud of the group for today's effort," Enloe said. "Everyone fought hard today and we had a much better day as a group. The final results of the event and the season were not what we were hoping for, but we all have a lot to be thankful for."