HOUSTON, Texas - After getting off to a strong start in the third round of the 2016 NCAA Division III Tournament, the Wittenberg Tigers stumbled over the final nine holes to fall into a third-place tie.

Rhodes, the top-ranked team in the nation in the final regular season GolfStat statistical rankings, broke an NCAA Division III Tournament record with a round of 294 to grab a commanding 15-stroke lead. The Lynx, who won the 2014 national championship, heads into the fourth and final round with a total score of 904, followed by Texas-Tyler at 919, and George Fox tied with Wittenberg at 920.

The Tigers started the third round at Bay Oaks Country Club just three strokes behind Rhodes, and the teams made the turn onto the back nine on nearly even terms. However, Rhodes maintained its pace to the end of the round, while Wittenberg fell back to eventually finish with a score of 307.

For the first time during the week, Wittenberg junior Macy Hubbard (Mason, Ohio/Mason) fell out of the individual lead during the third round. After posting a tournament-record score of 140 over the first two rounds, Hubbard shot a 79 to finish at 219, one stroke off the lead held by Caroline Ordian of Redlands.

Senior Maggie Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) carded a 77 in the third round to end up 11th overall with a total score of 228. Sophomore Jane Hopkinson-Wood (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) will open play on Friday in 18th place with a three-round total of 232, followed by freshman Chloe Bradburn (Gahanna, Ohio/Columbus Academy) in 57th with a 245, and senior Allie Lawwill (Springboro, Ohio/Middletown) in 77th with a 256.

Bradburn's 76 was a collegiate-best for the first-year Tiger.

"Both teams showed glimpses of what they are capable of today," said Head Coach Jeff Roope. "Knowing what's possible if half the battle. The other half is knowing that you can do it consistently. Both teams are close to that consistency."

Written By: Ryan Maurer