YOUNGSTOWN, N.Y. – A battle to the final hole went the way of Niagara in a dramatic Little Three Championship Wednesday at Niagara Frontier Country Club. The Purple Eagles won on their home course with a final 36-hole total of 586, just one shot clear of second-place Canisius while St. Bonaventure settled for third, just two shots off the winning score.

The third-most played college golf tournament in the nation, this year's 71^st edition of the Little Three turned out to be perhaps its most closely fought.

Niagara held a three shot lead after the opening round following a total of 297. The Bonnies were three shots back after a morning total of 300, led by freshman Colin Barber who carded a 2-over 73, one shot ahead of senior Michael Bucko's 74 while fellow senior Gabe Williams posted 75 in the opening 18.

All three teams turned in impressive team totals in the afternoon – the Bonnies recorded a 288, but could gain just one shot on Niagara while Canisius tallied the best round of the day at 286. At the day's end, the three teams were separated by just two shots. 

The Bonnies had their chances in the final holes coming home on the afternoon, but could not sustain their momentum after evening the score with Niagara in the late going.

The tandem of Bucko and Barber led the Bonnies.

Bucko recorded a sparkling round of 70 in the afternoon while Barber scored his best collegiate round to date of 71 as the pair tied for third on the individual leaderboard, five shots back of Niagara's Ben Hebert (70-69) who claimed medalist honors with a winning total of 139. Mikey Takacs finished one shot back (73-67/140).

Williams came home with an even-par 73 to tie for eighth overall with a 148 total. Sophomore Dante Bertoni also claimed a top-10 finishing spot (76-75/151).

Also in the lineup for the Bonnies was senior Caleb Decker (78-76/154) as well as Braddock Damore (81-74/155).

Playing as individuals, Tyler Berkman (78-79/157), Nick Cecchini (77-80/157) and Vinny Liguori (82-78/160) also teed it up for the Bonnies on Wednesday.

St. Bonaventure saw its eight-year winning streak in the event snapped, the longest winning streak in the history of the Little Three Championship. In all, the Bonnies have won the title 46 times.

For the Purple Eagles, it becomes their 13^th Little Three golf crown all-time and first since 2003.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH PATRICK DAMORE
"We dug ourselves into a hole in round one, especially with our last four holes in the round. We bounced back in the second round to tie the lead late, but unfortunately we couldn't finish. We had steady play from our senior leader Mike Bucko and our freshman Colin Barber. We'll refocus and prepare for the next event in Binghamton."

UP NEXT
The Bonnies head to the Binghamton area to compete in the Matthews Auto Intercollegiate on the Links at Hiawatha Landing Oct. 5-6.

------
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get golf updates @BonniesGolf. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Golf can be found on Instagram @BonniesMGolf.