Hutchinson, Kansas – Georgia State came into the NCAA championships having won three tournaments and finished second at its regional in its past four events. The Panthers couldn't carry it through at Prairie Dunes Country Club, shooting a combined 23-over 863. They scored an 8-over 288 in their third round, which started Sunday afternoon, was halted by lightning and was completed Monday morning. The Panthers were 23rd out of 30 teams.
“Let’s be proud of them for (the team’s accomplishments this season), but let’s understand we can do better,” coach Joe Inman said. “I’m just telling you, we’re better than what we just did.”
Junior Davin White, who shocked the tournament Sunday with a windblown 3-under 67 in the second round in tough conditions, fell back in the third round. He shot a 6-over 76 in which he had more bogeys and double bogeys (seven) than he'd had in his first two rounds combined (three). White, who had been in a tie for third at the end of his second round, dropped to a tie for 51st at 2 over, the Panthers' highest finisher.
“It was just a good experience,” White said. “Next time, hopefully I get in the same situation and hopefully I do a lot better.”
Georgia State’s leaders in the third round were Damon Stephenson (1-under 69) and Nathan Mallonee, who had six birdies and bogeys for an even score.
While finishing in the bottom third of the field, the Panthers fared better than some of the top teams in the country, including No. 10 Virginia Tech and No. 18 Florida State.
