Alva Review-Courier -

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Harding senior Mason Banger shot 4-under 68 Tuesday in the final round of the Great American Conference Championship and was poised to become Harding's first GAC individual medalist until the last shot of the event.

Southeastern Oklahoma's Zach James, the ninth-ranked player in Division II, chipped in for eagle on the par-5, 520-yard 18th hole to win the tournament at 4-under 212. Banger, ranked 44th, finished at 213.

Banger's second-place finish was the best ever by a Harding golfer in a conference tournament. His 213 is tied for Harding's fifth best score in program history and is the best score by a Harding golfer in the GAC Championship.

Banger's outstanding round, which included birdies on the final three holes, was part of Harding's best round of the season. The Bisons shot 2-under 286 and jumped all the way from seventh to a tie for fourth in the team standings.

Harding's 884 total was its best score ever in a conference tournament, 12 strokes better than the previous record of 896 at the 2014 GAC Championship.

Senior Juan Luis Sanchez was also under par Tuesday. He shot 1-under 71 to finish at 5-over 221 for the tournament and tied for 16th place. Alan Anderson tied for 28th at 225. Cooper Dunn tied for 37th at 229, and Gregor MacIntosh placed 44th at 235.

Henderson State won the team competition at 863, winning by 12 strokes over Arkansas Tech. Southeastern Oklahoma was third at 877.

Harding entered the tournament ranked sixth in the NCAA Central Region Rankings with the top 10 teams advancing to the Midwest/Central Regional on May 7-9 in Findlay, Ohio. The official announcement of the regional tournament field will be made Thursday on NCAA.com.