JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. (3/9/2021) -- Junior James Hill started the day outside the top 10, but quickly found his way among the top five of the leaderboard as the University of Detroit Mercy ended its season opener at the Benbow Invitational on Tuesday.

The Titans shot the second-best round on the day and the third-best round in the entire event with their 302 to claim fifth with an overall 625 (323-302) score at the Par 71,6,750-yard Jacksonville Beach Golf Course. 

Hill posted his highest finish ever and his second top-10 effort tying for fourth with a career-low 148 (78-70), one shot in back of third place. He started the final round with two pars and two birdies in his first five holes and then tallied eight pars, a birdie and an eagle in an 11-hole stretch at one point, shooting up the leaderboard to just four in back of first, as he finished with a 1-under 70, one shy of his career-best.

Freshman Alek Mauro ended his collegiate debut tying for 16th with a 156 (80-76) as he registered two pars and two birdies in his first five holes and ended with a 5-over 76. 

Senior Scott Sparks tied for 25th with a 159 (81-78) as he played his final 11 holes just one over with nine pars and a birdie. 

The Titans' 302 total in the final round was only behind Drexel's 300 in round one and 285 in round two as the Dragons won the tournament. 

Detroit Mercy will return to action this weekend, Mar. 14-16, as the Titans compete in the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, hosted by Tennessee State at the Sevierville Golf Club in Sevierville, Tennessee. 

Notes:

• Hill's previous 36-hole best was a 149 at the 2019 Bucknell Fall Invitational, while his career low for a round was a 69 in the third round in his collegiate debut at the 2018 Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate
• Hill topped the team with 22 pars a
• Mauro and Sparks led the team with four birdies apiece

Coach Taurence On The Titans

• "I wasn't happy with day one and they were aware of it, but they bounced back rather well and I think they took on some good information. I think everyone had to knock the cobwebs off a bit in that first round."
• "James played well both days. He struggled with the putter some the first day, but he was able to get some to fall today and he was hitting it really well."
• "I was happy with Alek taking a top 20 in his first tournament. He is going to be good for this program."
• "Everyone bounced back today and I was excited to see that. We have a quick turnaround here going to Tennessee this weekend, but we have some good momentum going into the tournament so we will go there looking to compete and win."