CHANDLER, Ariz. – Northern Arizona women's golf is on top of the Big Sky today after their come-from-behind win at the Ocotillo Golf Course in Chandler, Ariz. The Lumberjacks posted a third-round total of 297 to win with a combined score of 901 (+37).  At the end of the second round, the 'Jacks were six strokes back from the leader.

"Our new team culture has affected everything," said Head Coach Brad Bedortha. "Things were happening in our program and they weren't in the best interest of our program. It wasn't how we wanted to represent ourselves and it wasn't what we wanted to do. So, we changed our culture and we raised our standards. We needed to have a great attitude, and we needed to work really hard. We need to treat people well and have unconditional gratitude. These aren't only things that you need to have on a women's college golf team; they are things you need to do your entire life. They've all bought in, and now I have a group of kids that I love to death and wouldn't trade them for the world."

Jacquie LeMarr led the 'Jacks over three rounds with an eighth-place finish and score of 225(+9). Kaitlyn Saum stood out on the final day with a team-best 70 (-2). She was 16th overall at the tournament with 228 (+12).

"Brittany [McKee] and I were sitting at the end of last semester talking about what we need to do this season so we could win a conference championship," said LeMarr. "It has been holding ourselves to a higher standard.  We have worked so hard this entire season to do that. The feeling we have now after seeing all that hard work payoff is incredible. Even more than the fact that we won is that we can see all the effort and the hours and the training that we put in."

Brittany McKee and Kim Cifuentes came in second for the 'Jacks at the tournament with a tie for 14th and combined score of 227 (+11). Susana Mejia also competed for the 'Jacks at the championships, finishing tied for 29th with 233 (+17).

"This means so much," said McKee. "We haven't just set higher standards for golf--we've set higher standards for everything we do."

The 'Jacks fought with Sacramento State, Idaho and Southern Utah for the top prize all day with each of those teams taking turns in the top spot throughout the final round. Sacramento State came in second with 903, Idaho was third with 904 and Southern Utah was fourth with 912.

This is the 'Jacks eighth Big Sky Golf Championship. Most recently they took home the trophy in 2013. They'll represent the Big Sky at the NCAA West Regional on May 7-9 at the Entrada Golf Course in St. George, Utah.