CINCINNATI - The Marshall University men's golf team posted its best team result of the fall season with an eighth-place finish at the Xavier Invitational on Tuesday at Oasis Golf Club. Junior Christian Brand (Charleston, W.Va.) led all Thundering Herd golfers with a 54-hole total of 212 (70-71-71) to finish in a five-way tie for 13th place.

Marshall entered Tuesday's final round in fifth place after recording its best two team rounds of the season on Monday. The Herd, however, shot a 301 on Tuesday with just one player (Brand) under par in the final round for a total team score of 872 (284-287-301), one stroke behind seventh place West Florida (871).

Brand's two eagles at the Xavier Invitational tied for the tournament-high total.

Herd senior Nathan Kinker (Barboursville, W.Va.) was the next highest MU finisher in a tie for 43rd place with a 221 (72-70-79). Redshirt freshman Ryan Brookshire (Grapevine, Texas) was next for MU in a tie for 57th place.

Eastern Kentucky (846) won the team title, five strokes ahead of Marquette (851). Marquette's Mike Van Sickle (199) shot all three rounds in the 60s to claim medalist honors.

The Xavier Invitational was Marshall's final event of the fall season. The Herd will return to action Feb. 23-24 in Hilton Head Island, S.C., for the Wexford Intercollegiate.

Marshall (54-hole total): 872 (284-287-301)

Marshall Team Score (54-hole total): Christian Brand 212 (70-71-71), Nathan Kinker 221 (72-70-79), Ryan Brookshire 223 (70-75-78), Bennett Boyer 224 (72-79-73), Bosten Miller 232 (77-71-84)