SANTEE, Calif. --- Biola opened the spring portion of the 2008-09 golf season with an 11th place finish at the Carlton Oaks Invitational hosted by Drake University which featured a predominately NCAA Division I field. The tournament was held in Santee on Monday and Tuesday.

Despite playing through heavy rain and driving winds both days, the Eagles managed to hold their own during the tournament which featured 12 teams including nine from the NCAA Division I ranks. After a tough first round, Biola fought back to shoot the sixth-lowest team score in the second,  cutting 24 shots off the first-round total of 335 for a second round 311.

John Graham led the way for the Eagles, recording a two-round score of 158. He finished tied for 31st in the field of 68. Graham also had the highlight of the day on Tuesday, holing out from 156 yards out on the par-4 17th hole. 

Graham finshed two shots ahead of teammate Zach Hyer, who carded a 160 (81-79). Sam Howell was Biola's third finisher with a 163 (86-77), narrowly edging out Andrew Johanson, who had a two-round total of 165 (87-78). 

Western Illinois University won the team title by four strokes, edging out host Drake University, which had been the leader after the first round. Point Loma Nazarene's Sam Cyr won individual honors with an even-par 144, carding a 74 in the first round and a two-under-par 70 in the second.

Biola returns to action at the Point Loma Nazarene University/Smee Builders Invitational on March 2-3.