GASTON, N.C. – Lamar University's Sam Dumez shot a 1-under-par 71 to help the Cardinals move past Western Carolina to finish 12^th at the Gary Koch Invitational that concluded on Tuesday.
 
Dumez birdied two of the final three holes to finish tied for 46^th at 7-over-par 223 on the 7,042-yard, par-72 layout at the Gaston Country Club as the Cardinals posted their best round of the tournament, a 6-over 294 to pick up 10 strokes on Western Carolina to finish one shot ahead of the Catamounts. LU had a three-day total of 897, while Western Carolina finished at 898.
 
"I was very proud of the way we competed today," LU coach Jessie Mudd said. "It was a great way to finish up and give us some confidence heading into the conference championships."
 
LU's Eason Wang shot an even-par 72 to finish the tourney in a tie for 54^th at 225, one shot better than teammate Juho Kurikka, who finished in sole possession of 57^th place at 226 after a final round of 76. Cody Banach carded a 75 to finish tied for 62^nd at 230. Nikolai Schaffrath shot an 87 on Tuesday to finish with a 244 total for three rounds. LU's Sydney Merunka, competing as an individual, had his best round of the tournament, a 76, on Tuesday to finish at 234.
 
"Sam and Eason both came through today," Mudd said. "They showed what they are capable of doing. They stepped up their game today."
 
The Kentucky Wildcats rallied from a six-stroke deficit entering the final round to win the tournament at 35-under 829, four shots ahead of the Auburn Tigers in the 13-team field. Auburn's Trace Crowe earned medalist honors at 16-under 200 after a final round of 68. Crowe finished one shot ahead of Kentucky's Chip McDaniel, who had the low round of the day, a 6-under 66, to finish at 15-under 201 in the 75-player event.
 
The Cardinals return to action when they compete at the Southland Conference Championships, set for April 23-25 at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas.