RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico – The Kent State women's golf team was unable to move up the leader board Tuesday during the final round of the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Country Club, but the Flashes didn't move back, either. Kent State finished tied with Northwestern for sixth place in the 18-team field that featured 12 of the top 50 teams in the country.

"There is such a fine line between playing solid and good, and today we were solid," said head coach Mike Morrow. Even though we had some high numbers, it was a solid performance overall. And, we saw a lot of good things to build on."

Senior Sarah Bradley (Cambridge, New Zealand) finished the tournament tied for 23^rd as Kent State's top finisher. Tuesday's final round brought a second five-over 77 for Bradley, who did tally a birdie on the par-5 No. 11 for the second time during the tournament. Bradley finished with a 227, two strokes off her career-best.

Fellow senior Martina Gavier (Cordoba, Argentina) again had the lowest round for the Golden Flashes on Tuesday, as she posted a three-over 75. Gavier was on pace for an even par round until a late triple-bogey on the par-4 No. 2. Gavier did notch a pair of birdies on the back nine after two early bogeys as she finished tied for 29^th overall with a 229.

Junior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio) had a steady round on Tuesday, as she was the lone Kent State golfer to avoid a double-bogey or higher on any holes. A birdie on the par-3 No. 14 highlighted Marshall's card to help her finish with a 232 and tied for 40^th.

Junior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) made her move on Tuesday with a four-over 76 to move up to a tie for 47^th place with a 234. Although a late double-bogey hampered Morrow's score, 13 pars and a birdie on the par-4 No. 13 helped move her up the leaderboard.

Junior Mercedes Germino (Nacochea, Argentina) had a one-under 35 on the back nine thanks to birdies on No. 11 and No. 13, but finished with an eight-over 80 after a 45 on the front nine. Germino tied with Morrow for 47^th overall.

Kent State individual Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) finished tied for 79^th after a three-over 75 on Tuesday. After her rough start on Sunday that had her near the back of the field, Hawe's 75 – which included two birdies – was the second-best among individuals and gave her a 240 for the tournament, fourth-best among unattached golfers.

"We were all bunched together on the leader board and were on the verge of breaking through," said Morrow. "We played right with a lot of top-ranked teams. We were right there and pretty close to having a real good tournament, but we didn't quite get it done."

Iowa State did enough to take a lead late on Tuesday, but the Cyclones could not keep their pace as Alabama defended their title with a five-stroke victory. With a final round three-under 69, Alabama's Stephanie Meadow claimed medalist honors with a four-under 212. She was one of just three golfers to break par for the tournament.

Kent State has a short turnaround, as the Golden Flashes will visit Florida to participate in the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla. Feb. 21-22.

Lady Puerto Rico Classic

Rio Mar Country Club

Rio Grande, PR

Rio Mar CC- River Course

Dates: Feb 13 - Feb 15

Round 3

1            Alabama            286-298-291=875 +11

2            Iowa State             300-293-287=880 +16

3             Florida State              303-295-293=891 +27

4             Purdue             300-302-294=896 +32

5             Georgia             308-302-297=907 +43

T6             Kent State             306-306-304=916 +52

T6             Northwestern            307-305-304=916 +52

8             TCU             303-311-305=919 +55

9             Oklahoma             308-306-306=920 +56

10             Oregon             313-307-302=922 +58

11             Auburn             313-310-300=923 +59

12             SMU            305-313-310=928 +64

13             Michigan             315-307-309=931 +67

14             Indiana             319-308-305=932 +68

15             Texas Tech             310-311-316=937 +73

16             Penn State              317-321-300=938 +74

T17             Oklahoma State             311-317-311=939 +75

T17             N.C. State            311-315-313=939 +75

T6 Kent State +52 306-306-304=916

T23             Sarah Bradley            73-77-77=227

T29             Martina Gavier            79-75-75=229

T40             Shamira Marshall            80-76-76=232

T47             Mercedes Germino            76-78-80=234

T47             Mandi Morrow            78-80-76=234

T79             Erin Hawe (individual)            91-74-75=240