TUNICA, Miss. – University of West Alabama sophomore Savannah Payne carded her career best single round score of 72 to place second overall with 225 in the final round of the Gulf South Conference women's golf tournament at Tunica National on Tuesday. Payne's strong finish earned her All-Tournament team, marking the second UWA women's golfer to earn the honor in its second season.
 
West Alabama combined to card its second best single round score of the season with 309 in the third round. The Tigers finished fifth out of eight with 89-over 953 through all three rounds.
 
"We were able to improve with each round this week," said UWA head coach Adam Buie.

"Each golfer showed grit and determination to get better. Savannah finished her great spring with another Top Five finish in one of the best conferences in the country. She had really stepped up her game in year two.
 
"Our team has continued to improve, but we still have a ways to go to close the gap with the top of our league, which has multiple Top 25 programs in the nation. Next year, with upperclassmen, we should take another step towards the Top 25."
 
West Florida won the tournament with 297 in the final round to finish with 46-over 910. Lee University moved up one spot in the last day to place second with 65-over 929, followed by Shorter University with 72-over 936.
 
Payne's third round score matched the program's single round low as she finished four strokes behind the overall leader, Stephanie Bennett of West Georgia. Bennett shot 71 in the third round to finish 5-over 221.
 
Jessica Smyth and Christine Stryken each tied for 18^th overall with 242. Smyth wrapped up the final round with 80, while Stryken hit 84.
 
Agee Evans finished with 251, shooting 78 on the day. Tori Smith improved 13 strokes with 79 to finish with 254, tied for 24^th.  
 
2014-15 GSC All-Tournament Team

Stephanie Bennett, West Georgia (Top Individual Medalist)
Savannah Payne, West Alabama
Lauren Lamm, West Florida
Daisy-May Kenny, West Florida
Lily Kent, West Florida
Maria Torres, West Georgia

Click HERE for final tournament results [Leaderboard (Team)  --  Leaderboard (Individual)]
 
* Lee and Spring Hill, though having competed, were ineligible for the GSC Title during the NCAA Division II reclassification process.