COLUMBUS - The Georgia Southwestern golf team saved its best play for the final round, fired the only under-par team score on Tuesday at the Country Club of Columbus and grabbed its third title of the season, the 17-team Aflac/Cougar Invitational.

Southwestern started Day 2 six strokes behind third-ranked Lynn University and four shots behind No. 4 Barry University. It wasn't until the final nine holes where the 'Canes were able to jump Lynn. From there, GSW kept its foot on the gas en route to a five-stroke victory.   

At No. 24 in the country, GSW was the lowest-ranked squad of 11 ranked teams in the loaded field. In fact, only two teams in the tournament did not at least receive votes in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf NCAA Division II Coaches' Poll.

Individually, the Hurricanes couldn't have finished much better, as well, grabbing the top three spots in the 90-player field. Senior Craig Gibson led the Hurricane onslaught and earned individual medalist honors with a 2-under 211. Its Gibson's second victory in three years at the Aflac/Cougar.

Nipping at Gibson's heels were teammates Chris Hall (212) and J.P. Griffin (213). Hall, a senior, was solid on Tuesday as he was one of only four golfers in the field to shoot under-par. Griffin played the final eight holes 5-under, jumped 25 spots in the standings and the junior's final-round 66 tied the low round of the tournament.

Junior Nate Gahman (75-74-71) was steady down the stretch and tied for 21st - up 19 spots from Monday - and freshman Chris Campos carded a 245 (82-78-85).

Southwestern is playing well this fall. The Hurricanes won the 17-team Kiawah Invitational on Sept. 6 and the three-team RTJ Grand National Challenge on Sept. 17. Through three tournaments, GSW has yet to lose to a D-II school. 

The Blue & Gold wrap up the fall season Oct. 24-25 at the Laker Invitational in Hampton, Ga.

2011 AFLAC/COUGAR INVITATIONAL- TEAM SCORES

GSW SCORES