MUSKOGEE, Okla. - The Missouri Western men's golf team saw a 10-stroke improvement from the second round to the third, tying for a 6th place finish at the 26th NSU Men's Classic at the Muskogee Golf Course.
 
The Griffons fired off a team-score of 283 (-1) in the final round Tuesday, tying with Northwestern Oklahoma State with an overall score of 864 (+12). Jeffrey Johnston saved his best for last, shooting a 68 (-3) in his final round. Johnston birdied his first hole Tuesday and eagled the fifth before birdying twice more on 7 and 15. His three-day score settled at 209 (-4).

"We showed signs of brilliance in the first round," head coach Matt Thrasher said. "We started 11th in the second round and got down to 13th. They showed up and showed some guts. We shot the third lowest score Tuesday behind Harding (second place) and Henderson State (first place). (Jeffrey) bounced back. He's not there yet, but he's close. Tuesday was a huge day for us. If we can have a good week next week, then I like our chances of bouncing back in the region."
 
Aiden Asby was strong as well, birdying five times Tuesday, including three straight on holes 5, 6 and 7. Asby also eagled in each of his first two rounds on Monday for a three-round score of 215 (+2).
 
Parker Bunting birdied twice Tuesday for an even par 71 in his final round and a three-round score of 216 (+3).
 
Patrick Johnston went up 11 spots on the leaderboard Tuesday. He shaved off three strokes from his previous round and shot a 73 on the final day, highlighted by three birdies. His total settled at 225 (+12).
 
Jacob Eagan finished with a three-round score of 229 (+16), birdying three times Tuesday as well. 
 
Tim Johnston competed as an individual, finishing with a total score of 225 (+12). 
 
The Missouri Western men are back in action on Sept. 23-24 at the Missouri Southern Invitational from Shangri-La Country Club in Monkey Island, Oklahoma.