EL DORADO, Ark. -- Northeastern State climbed the ladder to claim their third top five tournament finish in a row after the third and final round of action at the Arkansas Intercollegiate on Tuesday.

The RiverHawks carded a 309, completing the event with a 952 (324-319-309). It represented a ten-stroke improvement over their second round score and a 15-stroke difference compared to their opening round tally. NSU would edge out Pittsburg State for fifth after the Gorillas struggled with a 322 in the third and finished with a 356 (323-311-322). Harding claimed the tournament win with an 899 (301-299-299).

"[It] wasn't pretty, but [it was] a solid team effort. [We finished] fifth out of 15 in a solid field," head golf coach Scott Varner said.

Nathan Biais highlighted NSU's individual efforts by tying for sixth with a 231 (78-76-77). Will Livermore had his most productive round to close the event, tying for 17th with a 236 (84-79-73).

Ian Wilcoxen carded a 241 (79-80-82). Like Livermore, Mateo Castro and Juan Vergel also saw their best round occur in the third. Castro finished with a 247 (84-84-79) and Vergel wrapped with a 248 (83-85-80).

Varner was particularly complementary of the team's efforts amid the course's difficulty.

"The men's course is the most difficult course we have ever played a college tourney on," he mentioned. "The team score reflects it."

The RiverHawks compete next week at the Pittsburg State Invitational, starting Monday.