The NIU men’s golf squad went to Revenna, Ohio, for a slight tune up before the Mid-American Conference tournament last Saturday.

As it turns out, the First Energy Intercollegiate tourney was a disappointment for the Huskies.

NIU finished last out of 19 teams, shooting a one-day total of 633, about 60 strokes behind tourney winner and MAC rival Kent State. The Golden Flashes won the 36-hole event with a 574.

Some positive performances did come out of the loss, as the Huskies shaved 17 strokes from their first-round total of 325 by shooting a 308.

The 17-stroke improvement was the second largest by any team on Saturday, as the tournament was shortened to 36 holes after bad weather postponed Friday’s second round.

Leading the way for the Huskies was sophomore Scott Alwes, who carded a two round 147 to tie for 22nd place overall. Senior Steve Childress and freshman Joe True tied for 83rd overall by shooting a 160.

The award for most improved goes to Eric Smith and Jason LeMaistre, as they both cut their scores tremendously between the first and second rounds. Smith beat his first round total of 88 by firing a second round 78, and LeMaistre also cut his first round 88 by firing a 79 in the second round.

The Huskies hope to dethrone defending champion Kent State at the MAC tourney on May 3. Kent State will look to grab their fifth-straight conference title.