Dennisonwins, IU in second

Senior Karen Dennison fired a final-round 69 to claim her second consecutive Shootout at the Legends title Tuesday. Her three round score of 213 (72-72-69) was only one stroke shy of the school record she set at the Shootout in 2002. She finished three strokes ahead of TCU's Brooke Tull and Missouri's Denise Knaebel. \nDennison played well throughout the round, but a costly bogey on the 16th hole left her only one shot up. She fired right back with shots on 16 and 17 that ended up within five-feet of the hole, and her final two birdies solidified medalist honors once again. Dennison said she felt she needed to finish well in order to have a chance.\n"I had no idea where I was in the standings. On 17, I just wanted to set myself up for a good approach shot, and I did that, then I hit a perfect shot into the green. On 18, I don't know, it was just a good shot -- the best shot of the tournament, so I was very proud of that."\nThe team came into Tuesday's final round at the Shootout in second place, only eight strokes behind leader and defending champion Kent State. Senior Danah Ford led the tournament after two rounds with a one-under-par 143. Dennison was tied for second, only one stroke behind Ford. Sophomore Molly Redfearn sat in a tie for sixth just two strokes back of Ford, who said she felt little pressure going into Tuesday with the lead.\n"I treated it just like any other round," Redfearn said. "I've been in that position before. I just needed to stick to my own game, and keep working on it like I have been for awhile now."\nFord played well, shooting a 74, but a triple bogey on the 13th hole kept her from medalist honors. Her three-round score of 217 was two strokes better than her previous career best of 219, and was good enough for fourth place. Ford has finished in the top 15 in all three tournaments so far this year. \nA final round 293 for IU was the best team score of the day, but Kent State's 299 left the Hoosiers just two shots away from the team's first victory on the year. Coach Sam Carmichael was still very happy with the team contribution, and explained that things are still getting better. \n"When Karen (Dennison) plays well, it gives us a good chance. Danah (Ford) has been playing well, and Molly (Redfearn) is getting better all the time. Lissa (Putnam) also contributed and was playing solid, so it does make a big difference."\nRedfearn finished in a tie for 16th with a score of 221, topping last week's career best performance of 233 by 12 strokes. Sophomore Lissa Putnam fired rounds of 73 and 76 after a tough first round to finish at 234, and senior Ambry Bishop struggled in her first two rounds before carding a final round 74 to finish at 235. \nThe Hoosiers will have a few weeks off before their next tournament, the Lanndfall tradition in Wilmington, N.C. \n"We've had a good fall, but it's good to take some time off, and take your brain off of the game," Ford said. "We'll have a good couple of weeks to get some good practice in before we go to North Carolina."\nThe tournament will take place Oct. 31 to Nov.2, and will mark the end of the fall season for the team.\n-- Contact staff writer David Paulen at dpaulen@indiana.edu