OSAGE BEACH, Mo. - McKendree University's bass fishing team sent one boat to the Lake of the Ozarks to compete in the Missouri State Open on Wednesday.

The lone boat for the Bearcats featured the duo of sophomore Harmon Marien (Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines) and junior Devon Rathbun (Springfield, Mo./Parkview). Marien and Rathbun placed second out of 24 boats with no practice at the Missouri State Open that featured seven universities.

Marien and Rathbun caught five bass that weighed in at a total 15.57 pounds to place behind Drury University. Drury weighed in at 16.67 to take first place at the MSU Open.

With the second place finish the Bearcats continue to gain momentum in the School of the Year rankings and will look to gain more momentum going into this Friday's MLF Central Conference Qualifier at Lake of the Ozarks.