By COURTLIN HAYGARTH | HSU Sports Network

SAN DESTIN, Fla. — No. 4 Henderson State women’s golf won its second straight tournament Tuesday afternoon while Gracen Blount picked up her second straight individual victory at the Emerald Coast Classic. The Reddies as a team paced the 17-team field by 23 strokes with a 28-over 880 while Blount carded an even-par 213 to lead the other 88 competitors.

No. 34 Montevallo edged out No. 28 Arkansas-Fort Smith by one stroke, 51-over 903 to 52-over 904, for second and third, respectively. Henderson has won its last two tournaments by a combined 43 strokes and has held the tournament lead through five rounds.

Gracen Blount came into the final round in second place behind teammate Lily Nelson, but a field-best 3-under 68 on the final round pushed her past her counterpart for her third individual win of the 2022-23 season. Blount played a near-flawless round of golf, carding 13 pars, four birdies and one bogey.

The aforementioned Nelson delivered a 4-over 75 for her final round to finish alone at third with a 54-hole score of 6-over 219. The true freshman logged her second consecutive Top-5 finish in the Sunshine State and her third of the season.

Jinna Boonbumroongsuk saw the second best day of any Reddie and the fourth best round of anyone in the field with an even-par 71 to finish her tournament in a tie for seventh at 10-over 223. The Bangkok, Thailand native now has five Top-10 finishes on the year.

Allie Bianchi finished in a tie for 32nd with a 20-over 233 while Daphney Tilton finished with a 22-over 235 for a spot at 39th. 

No. 4 Henderson State will rest for the next couple of weeks before it heads to Joplin, Missouri for the Dr. Virginia Laas Classic Monday, April 10. Following that, HSU will look to three-peat as GAC Champions at the Conference Championships in Hot Springs, Ark. April 23-25.