Kansas City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions recorded an 8-over team score in the final round of the MIAA Championships Wednesday afternoon at the Tiffany Greens Golf Course as the Lions moved up four spots into fourth place.

Southern followed up their 19 stroke improvement in round two with a two stroke improvement in the final round of the MIAA Championships for a fourth place finish with a three day total of 911 (317-298-296). The 296 on the final day tied for the third lowest team round of the 2015-16 season for the Lions. Southern used eight birdies on the back nine, three each from juniors Taylor Lansford and Cameron Hamilton and one each from junior Phillip Roller and sophomore Connor Neil, to move up four spots into fourth place and the Lions never looked back as they withstood a surge from Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, and Missouri Western. 

Hamilton again led the Lions on the day finishing at even par 72 despite four birdies on the day and finished 3-over 219 (74-73-72) and finished with a share of fourth place. Neil finished the final day at 3-over 75 for a tournament total of 11-over 227 (79-73-75) and tied for 17th, Lansford rebounded back after a rainy first round to finish the three day event at 18-over 234 (86-73-75) with a share of 34th while freshman Tristan Haltom finished the MIAA Championships with a three day total of 241 (78-81-82) in a tie for 45th and Roller used a 2-over 74 to improve his placing by three spots with a 243 (90-79-74) to finish 48th.

Central Oklahoma used a second round of 280 to take over the lead and held on in the final round to win the team title with a three day total of 882 (305-280-297). Lindenwood finished second in the Championships with a three round 891 (306-289-296) while Central Missouri fell to third in the final day with a team total of 892 (307-288-297). Southern finished fourth followed by Nebraska-Kearney (309-298-308) and Washburn (302-300-313) with 915 and Missouri Western finished seventh with a 917 (318-295-304). Rounding out the 11 team field was Northeastern State with 918 (315-297-306), Lincoln at 931 (320-306-305), Southwest Baptist at 933 (320-300-313) and Fort Hays State with a 959 (335-3040-320).

Blake Lammers of Lincoln was the individual medalist finishing with a three day score of 6-under 210 (70-72-68). Logan Gray of Central Oklahoma and Lane Pauls of Fort Hays State shared second with a three round score of 1-over 217. Hamilton shared fourth place with Ryan Dyck of Lindenwood and Teddy Jones of Central Missouri.

Southern finished fourth in the final MIAA Team Standings for the 2015-16 season after entering the MIAA Championships in a three way tie for third with Lindenwood and Washburn, while Central Oklahoma took home the team crown. Teddy Jones of Central Missouri was the MIAA Golfer of the Year and Yente Van Doren of Lindenwood was Freshman of the Year while Missouri Southern's Taylor Lansford was earned All-MIAA honors.

The Lions entered the MIAA Championships ranked 12th in the Central Region and will now await the selection committee's decision for the Super Regional in Allendale, Mich. Southern was two spots out of team qualification while Northeastern State entered the week in 10th in the regional ranking.

Team Standings (Final) **
1. Central Oklahoma (52)
2. Central Missouri (49)
3. Lindenwood (43)
4. Missouri Southern (39)
5. Washburn (36)
6. Northeastern State (29)
7. Nebraska-Kearney (27)
8. Missouri Western (24)
T9. Southwest Baptist (12)
T9. Lincoln (12)
11. Fort Hays State (7)

Men's Golf All-MIAA
Teddy Jones, Central Missouri
Alex Springer, Central Missouri
Blake Lammers, Lincoln
Russ Purser, Central Oklahoma
Travis Mays, Central Missouri
Cody Troutman, Central Oklahoma
Eric Kline, Central Oklahoma
Ryan Dyck, Lindenwood
Tate Williamson, Northeastern State
Ryan Hand, Missouri Western
Brent Williamson, Northeastern State
Corey Knight, Missouri Western
Yente Van Doren, Lindenwood
Logan Gray, Central Oklahoma
Taylor Lansford, Missouri Southern