Final Team Results | Final Individual Results

By Cassie Logan | UTAMavs.com

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. -- UTA men's golf is heading back to Arlington on a high note as junior Aaron Guanlao earned a career-high fourth place and the Mavericks marked a season-best third at the Little Rock First Tee College Classic on Tuesday.

UTA, who was seeded fourth after a pair of rounds on Monday, posted one of the lowest markings of the day to secure third place with an 879 total (291-291-297) among the 13-team field.

Guanlao was a vital component to UTA's success, registering a two-day clip of 2-under 214 to claim fourth place in the individual standings. Galliford carded a 1-over 73, the team's lowest score in Round 3, to help lift the Mavs in the rankings.

"UTA golf had a nice week in Arkansas and I'm very proud," UTA coach Stuart Deane said. "The team finished in third place through tough conditions on the last day and battled all the way to the end.

"The course was long, hard and wet, but the guys fought for every shot. We feel like we are now heading the right way having two individuals with chances to win the past two events."

UTA is on an upward swing now with three consecutive top-10 finishes, improving each tournament. The Mavs earned eighth at the Bob Sitton Invitational, and a tie for fourth at the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate last week. Sophomore Tanner Gore also had a career performance to tie for fourth in the event.

Host and Sun Belt member Little Rock drew an 8-under 856, including an even-par third round to cement a championship. The Trojans were shadowed by SFA at the conclusion of Tuesday's pair of rounds, and the Lumberjacks held on to earn second with their 872. UTA also finished in front of Sun Belt competitor ULM, who was slotted in a tie for seventh.

Following under-par rounds on Monday, Guanlao inked a trio of birdies, but remained on par on holes No. 12-18 to finish 2-over 74 in Round 3. Galliford improved 11 spots on the final day to tie for 18th, tabbing 73's in the last two rounds. The senior was one stroke under par to open his Tuesday and bogeyed twice on the back nine.

Gore finished his week at a clip of 222, posting 73's in both the first and second rounds, and a 76 in the third. Josh Radcliff matched his low from Tuesday to tie for 52nd. The senior erased two bogeys with birdies on the final holes to sit 2-over. Camilo Avila rounded out the Maverick scoring at 232 to place 63rd.

UTA returns to Texas for the Jim West Intercollegiate on April 10-11 at the Wolfdancer Golf Club in Lost Pines. The tournament serves as a final tune-up before the Sun Belt Conference Championships April 23-25 in Miramar Beach, Fla.