Griz shoot 302, remain within striking distance
4/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Golf
Results 
The Montana women's golf team shot a 302 Monday, the fourth-lowest round of the day, but the Grizzlies were unable to move up the standings on day two of the Big Sky Conference championship at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
Montana (307-302--609) began the day in sixth place, eight shots off the lead of Southern Utah (299-299--598). It will enter Tuesday's final round 11 shots behind the surprising Thunderbirds, who entered the tournament ranked sixth among Big Sky teams in the Golfweek rankings.
In addition to Southern Utah, Idaho (301-301--602), Sacramento State (298-305--603), Northern Arizona (301-303--604) and Eastern Washington (308-298--606) also stand between the Grizzlies and their first Big Sky title since 2006.
It will take the round of the tournament on Tuesday for Montana to move into contention. The Grizzlies also will need some help from the leaders. But if a lifetime in the sport has taught second-year coach Joni Stephens anything, it's that no lead is safe when the pressure of tournament golf gets dialed up.
"I've actually been in a conference where we were down 18 shots and took it down to the last hole, so anything is possible," she said. "Things can swing one way or another quickly in golf.
"We've got to go out and do what we did today and get five or six strokes better, at least, to have a chance. We've got to get below 300, and we've got to get pretty good below 300."
For the second straight day, Barbora Bakova (74-72--146) led the way for Montana. The sophomore shot an even-par 72 and is tied for fifth, six shots off the lead of Southern Utah's Taylor Viquelia (68-72--140).
Bakova played the front nine Monday at 1-over and the back nine at 1-under to record her best round since October.
"She's just steady as can be," said Stephens. "And she's actually been very, very close to going low. She's missed some putts she doesn't normally miss. I wouldn't be surprised to see her come in with a below-par round tomorrow."
Senior Tara Green (80-75--155) shot a 75 Tuesday, five strokes better than her opening-round 80 on Sunday. Sophomore Amanda Kahn (79-77--156) fired a 77, junior Hayley Bingham (77-78--155) a 78.
Green and Bingham both overcame rough early holes that could have sent their rounds spiraling in the wrong direction. Instead both held fast.
After a double bogey on the day's first hole, Green played the final 17 at 1-over. Bingham had a double bogey on No. 6 and a triple bogey on No. 7 to drop to 6-over for her round. She played the final 11 holes even par.
"I'm very proud of their composure. We've been stressing this year that you never give up, that you can't let one or two holes determine the outcome of your round," said Stephens. "It can take just one chip-in, one long putt, a couple of birdies to get you back on track and back to where you want to be.
"I'm proud of the way they stayed in it and kept their minds where they needed to be in order to finish out."
Sophomore Alexa Schendelman (77-84--161) carded an 84 Monday, just her second score in the 80s in 19 fall and spring rounds.
The Grizzlies, who will play with golfers from Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona on Tuesday, will tee off in the next-to-last groupings for the final round. They will start the round three shots behind the Eagles, five strokes in back of the Lumberjacks.
Leaders Southern Utah, Idaho and Sacramento State will be the final groups to go off.
"Our goal today was to try to get five or six strokes better than we were yesterday, and we did that," said Stephens. "We had a few big numbers that kept us from going 300 or below that we need to get rid of tomorrow."
Players Mentioned
