NOBLESVILLE, Ind.--The Bellarmine University men's golf team closed with a final round 300--the lowest round of the tournament--to earn second place at the NCAA Division II Championship Preview at Sagamore Golf Course in Noblesville, Ind.  Senior Doug Wilkinson fired a final round 1-under-par 71 to finish tied for sixth to lead the Knights.

The tournament, which was hosted by the University of Indianapolis, was played at the same course that will host the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship and drew a field of teams that are expected to challenge for the national title, including defending champion Sonoma State.  

Scores were much higher than anticipated due to a weather system moving through the area that produced high winds. The conditions were severe enough to cause tournament officials to trim the event from 54 to 36 holes. Only two players--Wilkinson and defending national champion Gavin Smith (of Indiana University of Pennsylvania)--broke par in either round.

Bellarmine Coach Ernie Denham said the Knights played fairly well in the windy opening round, but posted a team score of 322 and found themselves in ninth place in the 18-team field.  Led by Wilkinson, the Knights leaped eight spots to take over second as they improved their opening round score by 22 shots.  In addition to Wilkinson, three other  Bellarmine players finished n the top 25--Eric Meier (155, T10), Brooks Herrick (156, T13), and Bryan Ratterman (158, T25).

Central Missouri took home the team title by shooting rounds of 309 and 301, and Riley Piles of Washburn was medalist with his 148 (75-73) total.  

By earning the runner-up finish, Bellarmine was the low Great Lakes Valley Conference team and low regional team in the field, which is important for the Knights' regional ranking.

Bellarmine concludes its fall season with the University of Cincinnati Invitational, which will be played at The Tradiions Golf Club in Hebron, Ky. on Oct. 12 and 13. 

NCAA DII Preview Final Results