ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Colby Bennett capped a strong tournament with a third-place finish to lead the No. 12 University of North Georgia (UNG) men's golf team to a second-place showing at the LMU Spring Kickoff, as the Nighthawks posted a three-round total of 865 (+11).

After two rounds Monday, the Nighthawks sat in second place with a team total of 583 (+7), trailing No. 8 St. Mary's (Texas) by nine strokes entering the final day. North Georgia opened the tournament with a 295 (+7) in round one before improving to an even-par 288 in round two to remain near the top of the leaderboard.

Bennett led North Georgia through the opening 36 holes, tying for seventh at 145 (+1) after rounds of 74 (+2) and 71 (-1). Grant Langford and Hunter Smith followed close behind, each tied for 12th at 146 (+2). Langford carded back-to-back 73s (+1), while Smith rebounded from a 76 (+4) in round one with a team-best 70 (-2) in round two.

Kai Marko stood tied for 19th at 148 (+4) after matching 74s (+2), and Rhett Smith was tied for 39th at 152 (+8) following rounds of 74 (+2) and 78 (+6).

Competing as individuals, Garrett Horton also sat tied for 19th at 148 (+4) after shooting 75 (+3) and 73 (+1), while Jack Rowe was tied for 39th at 152 (+8) with rounds of 78 (+6) and 74 (+2).

North Georgia closed the tournament Tuesday with a final-round 282 (+4) to secure second place overall.

Bennett fired a 71 (-1) in the final round to finish third individually, while Hunter Smith posted an even-par 72 to claim seventh place. Rhett Smith added a 74 (+2) to earn a top-30 finish, and Marko shot 75 (+3) to remain inside the top 20. Langford, Horton and Rowe each carded 76s (+4), with Langford and Horton also finishing among the top 20.

The Nighthawks return to action March 1-3 at the Las Vegas Desert Classic.