PRESCOTT, Ariz. --- On Tuesday afternoon Austin Bishop became just the third Biola Men's Golfer to ever win an individual tournament championship.  The sophomore rode a sparkling third round to drop his overall score to 220 (+4) and win the Embry-Riddle Co-Ed Invitational by one stroke.
 
His dazzling individual effort paced a fantastic team effort by the Eagles who recorded their best team finish since last year's Arizona Christian Fall Invitation. Biola completed the event with a three-round score of 910 (+46) to finish just two strokes behind the event champion, Embry-Riddle.
 
"Today was a big step forward for us and the program yet at the same time a bit tough to accept," said Head Coach Max Allen. "But when we look at the positives they are so good. We beat the 7^th-ranked NAIA team, we put ourselves in contention to win, we did not give in to nerves or pressure, our boy Austin got a win, it goes on...and we will keep this going the rest of the season."
 
On Tuesday the team completed the second round of play, which was suspended on Monday evening, and then went on to play another 18 holes to finish off the tournament. The Eagle tidied up their scorecard with a second round 308 (+20) and then rocketed up the leaderboard in the third round with a 295 (+7). The 295 was the second-lowest round shot by any team over the course of the tournament.
 
Bishop completed his championship-winning effort with a second-round 79 (+7) and third-round 70 (-2). The 70 was the lowest round shot by any golfer throughout the tournament in the 45-man field.  His third round effort was propelled by another strong start. This time he birdied five of the first six holes to get off to a winning start.
 
In round one, yesterday, Bishop carded a 71. This 71 was the second-lowest round of the tournament. The only other person in the field to record a 71 was Bishop's teammate, Kyle McAbee.
 
McAbee got his 71 on Tuesday afternoon as he shot his best round of the tournament in the third round to serve as a critical contributor to the Eagles' rise up the leaderboard. McAbee's 71 salvaged the tournament for him after a challenging day one. He finished with the Eagles' third-best tournament score (230) and finished tied for 13^th.
 
"Kyle was playing with the leader of the tournament and he made it his goal to beat him today," said Allen. "Kyle was 2-under with one to play, but he bogeyed the last for a 71. He accomplished his goal and showed tenacity in coming back from two tough rounds and posting this score against a skilled player."
 
Samuel Shih ended up as the second Eagle on the leaderboard, and the second of Allen's men to place inside of the top-5. He shot his lowest round of the tournament (72) in the second round and then finished his tournament with a 79 to tie for fifth at 226 (+10).  Shih became one of just 13 golfers in the field to finish with all three rounds in the 70s and was a major reason the Eagles could keep within two strokes of Embry-Riddle.
 
Biola trailed the team lead by seven strokes after the first round, so the upward movement was a great thing. However, the team is definitely motivated by missing an opportunity to lock down a tournament win.
 
"Even though we missed as a team I was pleased with the guys perspective. They knew the three strokes could have been saved in any round during the tournament so the idea of losing it in the final holes did not get to them," said Allen. "That thinking displays a trust in their ability to contend next time and get the win. Also, the fact that Austin won made any hurt from the team loss go away. We were all thrilled to see him play a clutch round of golf and win."
 
Biola Men's Golf is back out competing next Monday and Tuesday at its final fall season event, the CSU San Marcos Fall Invite. The tournament will be played at Vista Valley Country Club. It is the fifth consecutive year Biola will compete in this tournament.