MESQUITE, Nev. – The Idaho men's golf team climbed two sports with the third-best team score of the day, Tuesday, to finish eighth at the Mesquite Desert Classic at the Casablanca Resort in Nevada.
 
Matthew McGann finished even par 216, highlighted by a three-under 69 in the second round, to finish 20th and lead the way for the Vandals.
 
Samual Johnson and Josh McCartain finished tied for 36th with a three-round score of 220. McCartain closed the tournament with a two-under 70 in round three, including an eagle on the Par-5 eleventh hole. Dalton Dean was 45th with a score of 223 and Joe Sykes was 50th with a score of 225.
 
The tournament was the first of the spring for the Vandals and with recent weather, the team has not been able to play outdoors in preparation for the tournament.
 
"Overall, I would say this week we had some execution issues," head coach David Nuhn said. "That's on me as coach to ensure we have the opportunities in preparation to be ready to go, regardless of weather conditions at home. I thought we had a lot of positive moments, 55 birdies and an eagle in 270 holes played are solid numbers. We just need to tighten up the little things that lead to bogeys or worse. Improvement will come with more time on grass. These guys certainly have the drive to get to work and be more ready to go next week at Fresno State."
 
The Vandals are right back in action next week at the Fresno State Nick Watney Invitational that tees off Monday Feb. 24.