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Senior Hunter Atkins (West Point, Miss.) shot a final-round four-under 66, Tuesday, to lead Southern Miss to a second-place team finish in the Old Town Collegiate in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“What a great week for our program,” said Southern Miss men’s golf coach Eddie Brescher of his 66th-ranked squad by GolfWeek. “Speaks volumes to how much our guys are buying in to each other and playing for not only themselves and each other, but the Southern Miss brand. Our program has been knocking on the door for quite some time.

“It is nice to see that door opening up and getting some fantastic results for our team. However, it will be nice to have a couple weeks off to prepare for our next event at NC State. We look forward to competing in that event.”

Atkins finished third in the individual medalist race, while senior Brice Wilkinson (Madison, Miss.) tied for fourth.

Atkins ended the tournament with a 10-under-par 200, placing just two strokes behind both Alex Fitzpatrick and Michael Brennon, both of Wake Forest, who tied for medalist honors with a 198. The 201-stroke total is the second lowest 54-hole individual total in Southern Miss’ history.

Wilkinson, who was tied for first after the first two rounds, carded a final-round 70 to end with a 201, just one stroke behind Atkins.

“Having Hunter and Brice put the team on their shoulders and perform that way is fantastic,” said Brescher. “Senior leadership is so important to have on any successful team. Both guys are fantastic players and they are starting to show the world just that.”

The Golden Eagles shot below par for the third-straight time as they posted a two-under 278 to finish with an 819 total. The team’s 54-hole score is the lowest total in school history.

Sophomores Thongpipat Rattanayanon (Bangkok, Thailand) and Robbie Latter (Mississauga, Ontario) each tied for 35th with an even-par 210 as they duo shot a 74 and a 70, respectively on Tuesday. Freshman Ryan Dupuy (Baton Rouge, La.) added a final round 72 to end with a 222 score and a 74th-place finish.

Southern Miss finished second behind host and No. 46 Wake Forest, who ended the tournament with a 35-under 805. Following the Golden Eagles, No. 48 Virginia Tech (821) finished third, followed by No. 57 Duke (822), No. 41 SMU (824), No. 83 Kansas State (825), the Wake Forest B Team (826), No. 70 Penn State (828), No. 98 Kentucky (830), College of Charleston (836), Rutgers (839), Davidson (846), No. 36 UNCG (847), Loyola Maryland (848) and East Carolina (861).

The team returns to action when they travel to Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 17-18, for the Wolfpack Intercollegiate.