HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. (4/25/2017) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's golf teams quest for a championship came to an end on Tuesday as the Titans took sixth place at the Horizon League Championship. 

Detroit Mercy posted a 918 (302-307-309) in a tight field that saw just 15 strokes separate sixth from third place. The event was held at the par 72, 6,768-yard El Campeon Course at the Mission Inn Resort.

"It was obviously not the way we wanted to end it, but proud of the guys for battling hard until the end," said head coach Luke LaFave '02. "All in all, a lot of positives this year and I'm excited about the direction this program is heading!"

Senior Kyle Gaines topped the Titans and was just outside All-Tournament accolades sharing seventh overall with a 223 (70-76-77). He started the third round in pursuit of medalist honors with a birdie on hole one and then five-straight pars. He then finished the tournament with six pars and a birdie on the back nine.

The 223 was his best total in his four trips to the conference championship, besting the 227 as a freshman in 2014. His season average of 74.72 was just outside the top 20 in school history, while his career average of 75.12 is fifth in school history.

"Kyle had a very good week backing up his All-League First Team nod," said coach LaFave. "A hiccup on hole seven today derailed his run at the title, but he held it together and played nicely on the way in."

Freshmen Zack Tenerowicz and Scott Sparks were the next two Titans in the standings as Tenerowicz tied for 17th with a 230 (77-74-79) and Sparks shot a 234 (78-80-76) sharing 26th.

Tenerowicz knocked in two birdies with eight pars on the final 18 and Sparks put together his best round of the event and on the day with a 4-over 76, which included 11 pars and two birdies on the final 16 holes.

Junior Eric Macrow was also in 26th with a 234 (78-79-77) as he started the day with back-to-back birdies and had three total. Senior Spencer Lendzion claimed 28th with a 236 (77-78-81), but his final round saw him register two birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 14th hole. 

"It was a pleasure coaching Kyle and Spencer for three years," said coach LaFave. "Both are great young men and will go on to do great things in their life."