SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In his collegiate debut, Southeastern Louisiana freshman Philipp Westermann fired a final round 69 (-2) to take individual medalist honors and lead the Lions to a second place finish in a loaded field at the UTSA /Oak Hills Invitational that wrapped up Tuesday at the Oak Hills Country Club.

In their first tournament of the 2010 spring season, the Lions, who were ranked No. 49 in the most recent Golf Stat national rankings, finished two shots short of the victory, finishing with a three-round score of 877 (+25). No. 11 Texas Tech took home the tournament title, outlasting a field that included eight of the nation's top 100 teams with a team score of 23-over-par 875.

“This was a great start to the spring for us,” Southeastern head coach Tim Baldwin commented. “We're going to look to build on this and continue to climb in the rankings.”

Westermann, a native of Pinneberg, Germany, carried the day for the Lions. After shooting even par on through Monday's opening two rounds, Westermann's final round was keyed by four birdies – including three on the back nine - that allowed him to take a one-shot win over Wichita State's Dustin Garza – one of the nation's top ranked individual players.

“Philipp is a smart, steady player who is a great ball striker,” Baldwin said of the Lion newcomer, who enrolled in school in January. “He won despite not putting his best. As he gets more consistent with his short game, he'll be in the mix every time out.”

No. 96 Tulsa and No. 41 Baylor finished a shot behind Southeastern, followed by North Texas (+28), No. 72 Iowa State (+35), Stephen F. Austin (+37), No. 50 Wichita State (+38), No. 80 Sam Houston State (+39), Texas State (+43), Louisiana-Lafayette (+44), No. 93 Oklahoma (+49), Air Force (+64), UTSA (+68) and Illinois State (+80).

Westermann was one of four Lions to finish in the top 30. Freshman Alvaro Arizabaleta was tied for 16th with a seven-over 220. Reigning Southland Conference Men's Golfer of the Year Cedric Scotto and fellow Lion Horacio Leon tied for 28th with a 10-over 223. Junior Rasmus Astrand rounded out the Southeastern contingent with a 78th place finish.

Southeastern will be back in action on Feb. 22-23, participating in the UNO/Mardi Gras Invitational at the TPC of Louisiana in Avondale.

UTSA/Oak Hills Invitational
Team Scoring
1. #11 Texas Tech – 299 – 283 – 293 – 875
2. #49 Southeastern Louisiana – 292 – 290 – 295 – 877
3. #96 Tulsa – 292 – 291 – 295 – 878
3. #41 Baylor – 295 – 291 – 292 – 878
5. North Texas – 299 – 289 – 292 – 880
6. #72 Iowa State – 295 – 292 – 300 – 887
7. Stephen F. Austin – 300 – 297 – 292 – 889
8. #50 Wichita State – 300 – 294 – 296 – 890
9. #80 Sam Houston State – 306 – 292 – 293 – 891
10. Texas State – 300 – 293 – 302 – 895
11. Louisiana-Lafayette – 296 – 295 – 305 – 896
12. #93 Oklahoma – 305 – 297 – 299 – 901
13. Air Force – 309 – 304 – 303 – 916
14. UTSA – 304 – 307 – 309 – 920
15. Illinois State – 317 – 310 – 305 – 932

Individual Scoring – Southeastern Players Only
1. Philipp Westermann – 71 – 71 – 69 – 211
T16. Alvaro Arizabaleta – 74 – 74 – 72 – 220
T28. Cedric Scotto – 75 – 74 – 74 – 223
T28. Horacio Leon – 72 – 71 – 80 – 223
78. Rasmus Astrand – 79 – 77 – 84 – 240