Weather was an issue for the Salukis once again as they lost 309-318 Saturday in the Dual at Dalhousie against Murray State.

The March 24-25 Saluki Invitational, the Salukis’ previous tournament and only home event this season, was canceled because of snow and ice on the Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center.

Junior Cassie Rushing said it was the rain this time that slowed SIU’s play.

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“I had only seven greens, which is awful,” she said. “But it was also miserable outside. It was raining for all of the back nine, so I think everyone had a few holes that they wish they could take back.”

All but two Salukis scored at least two strokes over their season averages. Saluki freshman Amy Lee led all Salukis with a 77 score, which was good for third in the tournament. Aside from the second half of the March 19 Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, she has averaged a score of 77 or lower in the last three events.

Lee’s 36 on the back nine was a tournament low, and she led the outing in par-4 scoring at even par. She said she felt more confident the closer she hit to the holes.

“My drives were not as good yesterday,” she said. “They were all over the place, but it doesn’t matter how well you drive or your second shot, as long as your short game is close to the hole. The short putts were the ones that always got me before, but my practice has made me better at it.”

Two Murray State Racers found themselves in the top two spots, as senior Alli Weaver hit a tournament-low 73 and freshman Abbi Stamper earned a score of 75.

Murray State’s Delany Howson finished tied for fourth and has earned back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference golfer of the week titles coming into the Dual at Dalhousie.

Sisters Ashleigh and Cassie Rushing, both SIU juniors, came within a stroke of each other’s totals at the event’s end. Their respective 79 and 80 scores were good enough to tie for fourth with Howson and take sixth in the match.

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The sisters said they hold a private competition during these tournaments against one another.

“It’s never anything violent,” Ashleigh Rushing said. “We have just always pushed each other to get better, even back in high school. It’s been neck-and-neck forever because we both want to do good, but we never intentionally put the other one down or anything.”

Senior Shaina Rennegarbe finished two strokes behind the twins. Her 82 placed her in middle of the pack and marks her first time with a score above 80 since the March 11-12 Primm, Nev. Jackrabbit Invitational.

The Salukis will take a weekend off before they leave for the April 13-14 Indiana Inviational in Bloomington, Ind. This will be their final tournament before the Missouri Valley Championships, which are scheduled for April 22-24 in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.