What You Need to Know:
* No. 2 seed Troy earned a 3-2 win over No. 1 seed Georgia State in the Sun Belt Match Play Finals on Wednesday at The Raven Golf Club in Miramar Beach, Fla.
* Luke Moser topped Alexander Herrmann on the first playoff hole to secure the championship.
* Georgia State will now wait to see if they will receive an at-large berth in NCAA Regional play. The announcement is scheduled for May 5.
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – In a thrilling Sun Belt Match Play final, No. 2 seed Troy topped No. 1 seed Georgia State on Wednesday afternoon 3-2 in extra holes to win the conference championship.
The championship game down to the final match with sophomore Alexander Herrmann tied with Luke Moser heading to Hole 18. After Moser hit his second shot in the water, it appeared Herrmann had the advantage. However, after leaving his first putt short, he missed his second and three-putted, while Moser got up and down to send it to extras.
On the first playoff hole, Moser stuck his second shot to two feet and made the birdie putt after Herrmann missed a long uphill birdie putt.
“Obviously we are heartbroken and disappointed,” head coach Joe Inman said. “However, this is a resilient group and we will bounce back. I think we are in good position to make NCAA Regional play, so hopefully our season is not over just yet.”
Georgia State got on the board first has senior JJ Grey earned his second 6&5 win of the day, topping Calum Masters, the favorite for Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.
Troy responded as Jared Bettcher defeated freshman Nick Budd 2&1 to tie the match. Minutes later, Clay Vannoy earned the Trojans second point with a 5&3 win over junior Nathan Mallonee.
The Panthers responded as sophomore Max Herrmann earned a 2&1 win over Cam Norman to tie the match as twin brother Alex stood in the fairway waiting to hit into 18.
This marks the seventh time since 1998 that the Panthers have finished runner-up in a conference championship, to go along with seven titles.
Georgia State will now have to wait until the official announcement of the 81-team field for NCAA Regional play. The announcement is currently scheduled for May 5 on The Golf Channel. NCAA Regional play is set for May 16-18 at six national sites.
Championship - No. 2 Troy def. No. 1 Georgia State, 3-2
Jared Bettcher (Troy) def. N Budd (GSU), 2&1
Max Herrmann (GSU) def. Cam Norman (Troy), 1UP
Luke Moser (Troy) def. Alex Herrmann (GSU), 1UP in 19
Clay Vannoy (Troy) def. Nathan Mallonee (GSU), 5&3
JJ Grey (GSU) def. Calum Masters (Troy), 6&5
Semifinal 1 - No. 1 Georgia State def. No. 4 South Alabama, 4-0-1
Nick Budd (GSU) vs. Jason Mendel (USA), A/S thru 18 (F)
Max Herrmann (GSU) def. Brooks Rabren (USA), 4&2
Alex Herrmann (GSU) def. Peter Staalbo (USA), 3&2
Nathan Mallonee (GA St) def. Daniel Jansen (USA), 3&2
JJ Grey (GSU) def. Drew Cooke (USA), 6&5
Semifinal 2 - No. 2 Troy def. No. 3 Arkansas State, 4-1
Jared Bettcher (Troy) def. Joel Wendin (ASU), 2UP
Oscar Schlenkrich (ASU) def. Cam Norman (ASU), 2UP
Luke Moser (Troy) def. Seth Garner (ASU), 3&1
Clay Vannoy (Troy) def. Tanner Napier (ASU), 3&1
Calum Masters (Troy) def. Andrew Huseman (ASU), 1UP
