Nelson, RiverHawks Near Top

SAN ANTONIO, Texas --- Northeastern State shot a second round score of 278, its best round in two years, and sits in second place entering the final 18 holes of the Bruce Williams Memorial Invitational at The Dominican Country Club.

The RiverHawks struggled to a 301 in the opening round before netting the low round of the day on the last 18 holes for a team score of 579, just two shots behind the leader, Abilene Christian, at 577.

Incarnate Word (581), East Central (601) and Arkansas-Fort Smith (604) round out the top five.

Senior Casey Nelson carded a 4-under-par 68 on his second round. And, after an even-par 72 to start the day, Nelson is four shots back of ACU's Alex Carpenter in the race for medalist. Carpenter's 66 on the first 18 is the low round of the tournament thus far and he backed it up with a 2-under 70 for a 36-hole total 136.

NSU has three players battling in the top 10 after opening day. Kyle Fouts (74-71=145) is tied for seventh and Jett Johnson (77-70=174), making his first appearance in the lineup, is tied for 10th. Matt Vineer (79-69=148) is tied for 13th and Zach Tucker (78-75=153) is tied for 23rd overall.

Play will conclude on Tuesday with 18 holes beginning at 8 a.m.