SNOW HILL, N.C. – Freshman Josiah Tong posted the second best round of the day, firing a 6-under par 66 in the final round of the Cutter Creek Intercollegiate Sunday.

Tong was the biggest mover in the 100-player field, leaping 37 spots into a tie for 42nd place overall. The best round of his collegiate career thus far featured five birdies and one eagle.

Fellow freshman Tony Liu was Rhode Island's top finisher overall, as he tied for 24th. After shooting 3-under on Saturday, Liu was hurt by a triple bogey on the fourth hole. However, he showed toughness by making birdies on three of his next four holes to make up for the rough spot.

Graduate student Bryson Richards was similarly stung by one rough hole, as he carded a triple bogey on the third hole. From there he recalibrated and was 1-under par over the final 15 holes. He ended the tournament 2-over and in a tie for 33rd place.

Freshman Owen Rooney delivered an even-par round for URI's fourth score on the day. Four birdies in a six-hole span from the ninth green through the 14th highlighted his day.

As a team, the Rams were 3-under par, the team's best round of the three-day tournament. Rhody finished 13th out of 15 schools.

Co-hosts East Carolina (-24) and Elon (22) were well ahead of the rest of the field.

Rhode Island next plays at the Dragon Match Play Invitational hosted by Drexel April 8-9.

Head Coach Gregg Burke Said...
"People will look at Josiah's round and be amazed. We are not. And as good as six under is, there will be many more from him. What I believe to be better than his score is the fact that it is 15 shots better than his first round. His discipline and mental toughness will carry him a long way.
 
"As good as that was, Owen's even-par round stood out. His physical ability is coming through as we work on his mental and emotional responses during his round.
 
"Tony wasn't himself as a ball striker or putter today. But when he made the triple, he followed it with three birdies. He is as tough as they come.
 
"Bryson had one bad situation but never gave up. His ability to dismiss a bad hole will make him a terrific player at the next level.
 
"We were under par over the final two rounds but our poor play in the first really made this a difficult experience."


Team Standings
1. East Carolina – 284-276-280-840
2. Elon – 291-273-278-842
3. Old Dominion – 296-279-280-855
4. Davidson – 296-290-271-857
5. Campbell – 288-288-288-864
6. Harvard – 291-288-287-866
t7. Sandhills CC – 296-288-286-870
t7. Winthrop – 299-284-287-870
9. Charleston Southern – 293-285-293-871
10. Radford – 300-296-279-875
11. Delaware – 306-293-280-879
12. Presbyterian – 299-295-286-880
13. Rhode Island – 308-290-285-883
14. Robert Morris – 292-302-294-888
15. Gardner-Webb – 304-296-290-890