KAPOLEI, Hawaii ? The University of Kentucky women?s golf team posted a comeback Wednesday on the final day of the Kent Youel Invitational to finish in 12th place at the two-day event hosted by the University of Hawaii. The Wildcats weathered winds of 30 miles per hour throughout the final round to finish with a three-round total of 953 (318-316-319).

?I?m really proud of our team for hanging in there,? UK head coach Stephanie Barker said. ?If we are able to improve on our putting technique in the wind, we really will be able to score well in tough conditions like we competed in today.?

No. 8 Southern California took home the tournament title posting a three-round total of 896 (294-294-308). The Trojans finished six strokes ahead of No. 25 Stanford, which concluded the event with a 902 (301-296-305). The Cardinal?s Kelly Husted took home the individual crown with a four-under-par 212 (69-72-71) over the three-day tournament.

The Wildcats were led by senior Erin Faulkner (Bowling Green, Ky.) who finished in a tie for 42nd place with a 238 (82-78-78). Fellow senior Ali Kicklighter (DeLand, Fla.) carded a 239 (78-81-80) to finish in a tie for 49th place.

Sophomore Elizabeth Dotson (White Bluff, Tenn.) and junior Katie Johnson (Lexington, Ky.) both carded 240s to finish in a tie for 53rd place. Sophomore Beth Felts (Chattanooga, Tenn.) concluded play in a tie for 80th place with a 250 (82-85-83).

The Kent Youel Invitational marked the final fall tournament for the Wildcats this season. They return to action Feb. 19, 2006, at the Papa John?s Collegiate Invitational in Miami Lakes, Fla. Stay tuned to ukathletics.com for the latest information on UK women?s golf.