NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - SMU's Serena Shah had a career tournament, finishing the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate with a 5-under 214 and tied for third place.
 
Shah set career-bests for a single-round score, 54-hole score and her highest tournament finish. Entering the final round at 6-under, Shah birdied her final two holes at English Turn Golf & Country Club, securing her first career top-five with a 1-over 74.
 
Shah birdied 13 of her 54 holes during the tournament, which ranked second in the tournament. Florida's Clara Manzalini and Miami (Florida)'s Anna Backman tied for medalist honors at -7.

"Serena had a great event," said head coach Jeanne Sutherland. "She started the day a bit rough, but it was the first time she was in a position to win. She will be ready the next time she's in that situation."

As a team, the Mustangs shot a 3-over 295 to finish the tournament at 7-over. SMU was eighth in the 15-team field, and No. 10 Florida won the tournament at 23-under.

"I was really proud of how we battled," Sutherland said. "We made a few mistakes in the middle of the round, but we battled and brought it in. They've really made a commitment to work hard, be a tight-knit group and pull themselves up."
 
Megan Daleo finished the tournament tied for 30^th with a 4-over 223, after a 77 in the third round. She has finished in the top-30 in back-to-back events.
 
Kennedy Pedigo had the Mustangs' best round of the day, carding a 2-under 71 on the par 73 / 6,336-yard track that previously hosted New Orleans' PGA Tour event. Pedigo finished tied for 34^th at 5-over. Sophie DiGesualdo played her first nine at 2-under Tuesday, writing a 1-over 74 on her scorecard. DiGesualdo had a tournament-best 43 pars and finished tied for 63^rd at 12-over.

"Sophie and Kennedy stepped up today, and I was happy for them," added Sutherland.

Faith Summers tied for 43^rd at 7-over, after shooting 3-over in the final round. Competing as an individual, Lauren Chappell tied for 50^th at 9-over.
  
The Mustangs return to action February 24-25 at the Icon Invitational, hosted by Houston at The Woodlands (Texas) Country Club.