NASHPORT, Ohio - Carding the second-best team round of the day, NIU men's golf shot a collective 289 (+1) in the third round of the Mid-American Conference Championship at Virtues Golf Course Saturday afternoon.

A four-hour rain and lightning delay hampered this morning's start time, pushing it back to 1:30 p.m., and forcing a shotgun start for the field.

Despite the forces of nature, the Huskies were unfazed by the natural forces and played par golf most of the round while the rest of the field's scores fluctuated. NIU finished the day in eighth but is a mere eight strokes from fourth place.

"I was very proud of our effort, patience and discipline today. We hit a ton of quality shots and could not make any birdies, but, we kept making pars and continued to give ourselves chances," said Director of Golf Tom Porten. 

With a rocky start on the first day, Charlie Cameron led NIU with a 70 this afternoon, carding three birdies and 14 pars in the round. Thomas DeMarco was steady as well, shooting -2 on his final nine holes to shoot an even 72. 

Jordan Less bounced back with a 73 (+1) while yesterday's leader Salvador Rocha rounded out the scoring Huskies in the round with a 74 (+2).

Porten pointed to the resiliency of NIU's senior captain as a focal point for the day and praised the group for closing the gap between their foes.

"It was great to see Charlie bounce back after a tough day yesterday and Thomas and Jordan were consistently good with Sal also contributing. We have gotten closer to the pack and now we have a chance to move up tomorrow. Can't wait to see what happens," he closed.

The Mid-American Conference Championship's final round with tee off at 6:45 a.m. Central with NIU starting off with Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.

TEAM SCORES: 1. Kent State - 287-288-285=860 (-4); 2. Ball State - 294-288-294=876 (+12); 3. Toledo - 289-300-295=884 (+20); t4. Miami (OH) - 296-301-291=888 (+24); t4. Ohio - 303-296-289=888 (+24); 6. Akron - 303-301-290=894 (+30); 7. Eastern Michigan - 303-293-299=895 (+31); 8. NIU - 311-296-289=896 (+32); 9. Bowling Green - 305-304-293=902 (+38) 

TOP-10 INDIVIDUALS: 1. Patrick Flavin (MU) - 69-71-67=207 (-9); 2. Gisli Sveinbergsson (KSU) - 68-70-71=209 (-7); 3. Johnny Watts (BSU) - 69-69-73=211 (-5); 4. Colin Joseph (UT) - 74-69-69=212 (-4); t5. Chase Johnson (KSU) - 73-72-70=215 (-1); t5. Kyle Rodes (EMU) - 69-71-75=140 (-1); t7. Peyton White (OU) - 75-74-69=218 (+2); t7. Tommy Nettles (OU) - 73-76-69=218 (+2); t9. Ian Holt (KSU) - 74-69-76=219 (+3); t9. Timothy Wiseman (BSU) - 72-74-73=219 (+3)

NIU INDIVIDUALS: t10. Salvador Rocha - 77-70-74=221 (+5); t20. Thomas DeMarco - 80-73-72=225 (+9); t31. Jordan Less - 82-74-73=229 (+13); t31. Paul Schlimm - 73-80-76=229 (+13); 35. Charlie Cameron - 81-79-70=230 (+14)