Despite stormy conditions on the final day of competition Sunday, No. 15 Saint Mary’s finished second place at the rain-shortened Anderson University Invitational at Killbuck Golf Course in Anderson, Ind.

The Belles turned in a 27-hole team score of 481, placing them 27 shots behind top-finishing No. 2 DePauw.

“Seeing as it was their first real tournament, I think they performed quite admirably against tough conditions,” Belles coach Mark Hamilton said. “Today we got about 12 holes in, and we got rained out. We were actually playing pretty well despite the rain and making a move on the leaders up top.”

The Belles entered their first fall tournament with three freshmen golfers in their starting lineup. But Saint Mary’s didn’t encounter any issues with inexperience, especially as freshman Amanda Graham carded a 122 to finish play as the top Belles finisher at third overall.

“I think in a way, [the new players are] good for the chemistry of the team,” Hamilton said. “Everybody gets to know each other, and it’s a little more competitive. We have a great group, and they get along well, and they take that onto the golf course. Everybody wants to play hard for themselves and for their teammates.”

With their first tournament under their belt, the Belles now prepare to play in their home tournament in two weeks, the O’Brien National Invitational at the Warren Golf Course.

“They’ve basically got two weeks until the next one, one of the biggest tournaments of the year,” Hamilton said. “We are going to work hard the next couple of weeks to get ready to play the No. 1 team in the country.”

Contact Peter Steiner at [email protected]