March 11, 2007

Bryan, Texas – No. 25 South Carolina finished in a three-way tie for seventh at the “Mo”Morial Invitational played at the par-72 Traditions Golf Club, finishing with a 54-hole score of 319-312-322=953 (+89). The Gamecocks finished 60 strokes behind tournament-winner Arizona State, who blew away the entire field, finishing a full 11 strokes higher than the second place team. Junior Camila Mori was Carolina’s top finisher, tying for 34th with an 82-76-81=239 (+23). Southern California’s Paola Moreno claimed individual medalist honors with a 74-70-72=216.

After being forced to withdraw from Saturday’s action after injuring her right leg on her 14th hole of the day, freshman Bénédicte Toumpsin returned to action for Sunday’s final round and showed no ill effects from her injury, as she turned in the best round of any Gamecock Sunday with a six-over-par 78. She was the only Carolina player to shoot in the 70s Sunday.

Senior Jenna Pearson and Blythe Worley finished in a tie for 39th for the weekend, with Pearson posting a 77-82-81=240 (+24) and Worley wrapping up with an 80-76-84=240 (+24). Freshman Taylor Barrett tied for 51st at the event with an 83-78-82=243 (+27).

The Gamecocks return to action when they compete at the LSU Cleveland Classic played at the par-72 University Club in Baton Rouge, La., next weekend.

Final Team Leader Board
1. Arizona State: 303-296-294=893 (+29)
2. Southern California: 307-293-304=904 (+40)
T3. UCLA: 304-305-308=917 (+53)
T3. Oklahoma State: 307-309-301=917 (+53)
5. Denver: 308-300-314=922 (+58)
6. Texas A&M: 306-314-306=926 (+62)
T7. South Carolina: 319-312-322=953 (+89)
T7. Missouri: 316-320-317=953 (+89)
T7. Oklahoma: 322-324-307=953 (+89)
10. Princeton: 318-323-317=958 (+94)
11. Texas: 331-307-322=960 (+96)
12. Kansas State: 326-322-318=966 (+102)
13. UTEP: 324-309-334=967 (+103)
14. Iowa State: 323-323-328=974 (+110)
15. Tulsa: 324-320-334=978 (+114)
16. Redlands College: 334-339-328=1001 (+137)

Gameocks on the Individual Leader Board
T34. Camila Mori: 82-76-81=239 (+23)
T39. Jenna Pearson: 77-82-81=240 (+24)
T39. Blythe Worley: 80-76-84=240 (+24)
T51. Taylor Barrett: 83-78-82=243 (+27)
— Bénédicte Toumpsin: 80-W-78