Evers Wins Bassmaster Elite Empire Chase

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) _ Edwin Evers finishes with a tournament total of 65 pounds, 7 ounces to win the $100,000 Bassmaster Elite Empire Chase on Lake Erie and the Niagara River. <br/><br/>Evers, of Talala,

Monday, July 23rd 2007, 10:54 am

By: News On 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) _ Edwin Evers finishes with a tournament total of 65 pounds, 7 ounces to win the $100,000 Bassmaster Elite Empire Chase on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

Evers, of Talala, Oklahoma, led after two rounds by just 3 ounces, but his tournament-high third-day weight total of 23 pounds, 10 ounces Sunday helped him beat second-place finisher Kotaro Kiriyama of Moody, Alabama, by 4 pounds.

Evers increased his career earnings to over $1 million with the victory.

Kiriyama entered the day in ninth place, but vaulted to second with an impressive 22-pound, 3-ounce five-fish limit weight.

John Murray of Phoenix finished in third with a three-day total weight of 60 pounds, 8 ounces.

Another Oklahoman, Terry Butcher of Talala, pulled in a 21-pound, 15-ounce bag to help him finish in fourth after starting the day in 12th.