MOREHEAD, Ky. – The 20th-ranked University of North Georgia rifle team finished in eighth place out of nine schools at the 2017 Withrow Open over the weekend at MSU's Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.

North Georgia scored a 2,241 in smallbore and a 2,289 in air rifle for an aggregate score of 4,530 against a field that included seven teams currently ranked in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Top 20.

Ruthanne Conner was the Nighthawks' top smallbore finisher with a score of 569, which was good for 37th place out of 93 shooters. Her 574 air rifle score matched teammate Andrew Abernathy as the duo finished 42nd and 43rdm, respectively.

Murray State (2,337 smallbore, 2,369 air rifle) has now won the event for the third consecutive year.

North Georgia returns to action on Jan. 28 when the Nighthawks travel to Charleston, S.C., to take part in the Senior Military College Championship hosted by The Citadel.