Spartans terminate IU streak

The women's golf team's string of three consecutive Indiana Invitational crowns came to and end Sunday, as Big Ten rival Michigan State took an 11-stroke victory against runner-up Kent State. IU finished fifth, 21 shots back. \nThe Spartans fired a 295 during Sunday's final round of the three-round competition, the best round by any team by nine strokes. Kent State and Northwestern fired 304. \nIU led after the first round, shooting a 309, but slipped in the final two rounds, with scores of 319 and 315. \nIU, recently ranked No. 31 in the Master Card Collegiate Golf Rankings, was tied with Ohio State for second after two rounds, with Michigan State leading by one stroke. The Spartans sizzled on the final day, sending the rest of the 15-team field reeling. \nMichigan State's Emily Bastel captured the medalists honor with a three-round total of 223. Senior Natalie Tucker finished fourth with a 228. Tucker, ranked No. 36 in the country, sandwiched a 78 between a pair of 75s. Tucker's score of 75 was the best round by a Hoosier.\nJunior Tiffany Fisher tied for 13th place with a 235, and senior Inga Snyder shot a 77 on the final round to finish in a tie for 15th. Freshman Karen Dennison also shot a 236 and tied for 15th. \nIU finished second or better in all three of its spring tournaments, but couldn't keep the string going Sunday. The Hoosiers' most recent triumph came a week ago at the San Antonio Shootout, where they fended off Kent State by six strokes.