Pat Lesser Harbottle Final Results

LAKEWOOD, Wash.--The Gonzaga University women's golf team ended the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational with a gem Tuesday, shooting even-par and climbing up the leaderboard of the tournament held at Tacoma Country & Golf Club.

The Bulldogs combined for a score of 288 (E) during the final round, equaling a season best. It's the fifth time in program history the Zags have turned in a round at even-par or better. With the round -- the second-lowest team score of the day -- GU moved into fifth at 899 strokes (+35), passing Cal State Fullerton. The Titans held a six-stroke lead on the Zags after day one.

Senior Ciera Min led the way for Gonzaga once again, taking second place with a final-round 69 (-3). After 10 pars to open the day, Min went on a birdie streak, making birdies on holes Nos. 14, 15, and 16. On her final hole, the par-three third, she faced a 15-footer for birdie and to move into a tie for first, but the putt lipped out at the end. The second-place finish is her fourth consecutive Top 5 finish and third of the year. She is the first Bulldog in the last seven years to finish among the Top 5 of four straight tournaments.

"Ciera continues to lead us and is rock solid on the golf course," said Gonzaga head coach Brad Rickel. "She lipped out on her final hole that would have tied her for the lead. If it wasn't for about an hour on the back nine of the first round of this event, she wins it going away."

Sophomore Bianca Pagdanganan also fired a 69 (-3) Tuesday, improving on her lowest round of the tournament by seven strokes. The low round moved her into a tie for 15th at 224 (+8). She's now posted two rounds in the 60s through three stroke play events this year.

"Bianca had a great day today," said Rickel. "She was much more solid from tee to green and had better speed on the greens. It was nice to see her get back on track."

Two more Zags saw their best rounds of the tournament on Tuesday. Sophomore Jena Gao fired a 74 (+2), playing her final nine holes at even-par. She used the tally to climb into a tie for 36th at 231 strokes (+15) for the tournament. Freshman Jessica Mangrobang, meanwhile, scored a 76 (+4), finishing three strokes back of Gao at 234 (+18). She tied for 51st.

"Jena and Jessica both battled to help the team today," said Rickel.

A pair of additional freshmen also competed in Lakewood: Nina Novilla finished in 66th with 237 strokes (+21) as part of the team lineup while Diana Araneta counted 244 strokes (+28) as an individual.

"To have the second-lowest team round of the day and to move up and finish one shot ahead of the team that was in front of us was very satisfying," said Rickel of his team's final-round performance. "This is definitely a glimpse of who we can be as we mature and get better."

Gonzaga now has two weeks before its final tournament of the fall season, the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown. That will run from Sunday, Oct. 23 to Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Boulder Creek Golf Course in Boulder City, Nevada. This will be the third consecutive season that the Zags have competed in the UNLV-hosted event.