INDIANAPOLIS (3/29/2022) -- It might have been cold and not ideal golf conditions, but that didn't stop University of Detroit Mercy senior James Hill from earning his first collegiate win at the Butler Spring Invite on Tuesday.

Hill finished with a 36-hole career-best 139 (69-70) to finish in a three-way tie for first, but due to the weather, was deemed the winner in a scorecard playoff as he birdied 17 and parred 18 to best his competition's score on those holes. 

Overall, he followed his 1-under 69 with an even-par 70 in the second round, posting 12 pars and three birdies. He started the day with five-straight pars before knocking in a birdie and then ended the day with a par and a birdie in his final two holes. He tied for the tournament lead with eight total birdies and was second on the course's par 4's (-1, 3.96 average) and tied for fifth on the par 5's (-2, 4.50 average). 

He became the first Titan medalist since former teammate Jonathan Brillati captured the 2019 Bucknell Fall Invite and it is the 24th title a Titan has won since 1987. 

Sophomore Alek Mauro tied for 34th as he recorded back-to-back 4-over 74's for a 148, while sophomore Ryan Sangchompuphen tied for 43rd with a career-low 149 (76-73). Mauro led the team with 28 pars in the two rounds - second-most in the field - as he parred every hole on the front nine and had 13 pars with a birdie on the day. Sangchompuphen started his final round with a birdie and then had three pars and two birdies in his last six holes. 

Graduate senior Drew Tucci shared 55th with a 151 (73-78), while graduate senior Bryce Douglas shared 81st with a 155 (83-72), which included 10 pars and a birdie in his first 12 holes.  

Overall, the Titans took fourth with a 581 (292-289), placing ahead of the other three Horizon League teams in the field in Green Bay, Purdue Fort Wayne and Youngstown State at the par 70, 6,551-yard Highland Golf and Country Club in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Detroit Mercy will have one more tune-up before the Horizon League Championships as the Titans take part in the Wright State Invitational on April 17-18.