Washington State University fended off most of the field but couldn’t quite track down the University of Nevada Wolfpack, finishing in second place at the Cowgirl Classic, seven strokes behind.

WSU shot rounds of 296, 303 and 296, finishing the tournament with a score of 895 (+31), while Nevada countered with rounds of 294, 300 and 294 for a cumulative 888 (+24). Lamar University took the bronze medal for the tournament, finishing with a three-round score of 899 (+35).

Senior Kristen Rue was consistent during the tournament, shooting two rounds of 73 wrapped around a score of 74. Her cumulative score was 220, (+4, T5) followed closely by freshman Alivia Brown. Brown’s three rounds of 72, 75 and 75 carded her a 222 (+6, T13).

Sophomore Cherokee Kim finished three shots behind Brown, shooting rounds of 75, 77 and 73. Her tournament score finished at 225 (+9, T22). Junior Nani Yanagi showed improvement throughout the tournament, carding rounds of 78, 77 and 75. She finished with 230 strokes (+14, T45) in a competitive field.

Junior Rachel Lewis started strong and showed perseverance and determination through a rough final two rounds. Lewis shot 76, 84 and 83 for a tournament score of 243 (+27, T97).

It was the Cougs’ third top-five finish of the season, and their best finish since placing second at the Pat Lesser Harborlette Invitational.

The Cougars will play at the 2015 Silverado Showdown in Napa, California, April 13 and 14.

Reporting by Kevin Fisher