No. 1 Bulldogs pull away for 3rd straight

SAUCIER — No. 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast stepped on the gas early Tuesday on the way to a 12-shot win in the MGCCC Fall Invitational at Windance Country Club.

The Bulldogs were 4-under through three holes and finished to open an early four-shot lead on No. 6 Central Alabama that grew to double-digits late in the round.

"I was pleased with how our guys fought this week," Gulf Coast coach Brad Thornton said. "Even after a rough start, I'm super proud of how they ground it out and put together some really impressive rounds."

John Mark Mills (So., Pontotoc/Mike Bender Golf Academy) led with the way for the Bulldogs on his way a 5-under third round to beat teammate Stanley Campbell by five shots for medalist. They were the only two golfers in the 88-person field under par, with Mills finishing 6-under for the 54-hole event.

He was 3-under through four holes and 4-under through seven. It's his first college tournament win.

"I got it rolling, made some putts, had a chip-in and really got the momentum going," Mills said. "I told Coach that this one means the most to me because this one took the most out of me. I worked really hard this week. I put in a lot of hours, played until dark, doing putting drills and all of that. It feels really good for it to pay off."

Peyton Russell (So., Gautier/Gautier) had an eventful third round, shooting 2-under with eight birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey to also make the All-Tournament Team. Ludvig Behring (So., Sollentuna, Sweden/Osterakers Gymnasium) finished 13^th.

No. 3 Murray State finished third at 29-over, 31 behind the Bulldogs.

Gulf Coast's B-team finished eighth in the 17-team field. Garner Seymour (So., Biloxi/Biloxi) tied for 15^th, and Andrew Miller (Fr., Tupelo/Tupelo) shot 4-under 68 to tie for 17^th along with teammate Grayson Lockhart (Fr., Starkville/Oak Hill Academy).

It was the last tournament of the fall for the Bulldogs, who have won three straight events. Mills will hope to take this momentum into the spring semester, when Gulf Coast aims to defend its national championship. 

"He's worked really hard," Thornton said. "He came really close last year, so to come in and see all that work result in a win is huge for him. That's a big deal for him, and I think it's going to give him a lot of confidence."

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