PEARLAND, Texas – Lamar University's Cody Banach is tied for 15^th after the first day of competition at the Bayou City Collegiate.
 
Banach had rounds of 71 and 73 on Monday to stand at even-par for 36 holes heading into Tuesday's final round. As a team, the Cardinals are in 12^th place in the 15-team field at 16-over-par 592. Arkansas State leads the team chase at 7-under 569, one stroke ahead of Lipscomb.
 
"Today was a day of ups and downs," LU coach Jessie Mudd said. "We showed glimpse of good golf and then we threw away some shots."
 
LU's Eason Wang is tied for 40^th at 4-over 148 after rounds of 72 and 76 on the par-72, 7,272-yard layout at the Golfcrest Country Club. Sam Dumez rebounded from an opening round 77 to card a 72 in the afternoon to end the day tied for 47^th at 149. Juho Kurikka is tied for 61^st at 152 after rounds of 77 and 75. LU's Clay McCrory had rounds of 76 and 80 to end the day in 81^st at 156.
 
Dawson Armstrong of Lipscomb leads the medalist race at 7-under 137 after carding a 67 in the morning and a 70 in the afternoon. Armstrong has a three-stroke lead over a quintet of golfers at 4-under 140.
 
The Cardinals are one of four Southland Conference schools in the field. Sam Houston State is third at 2-under 574, Abilene Christian is seventh at 4-over-580 and Houston Baptist is 15^th at 35-over 611.
 
The teams tee off for the final round on Tuesday morning.
 
"We are going to continue to improve on our weak areas," Mudd said. "The course is very gettable, so we are going to come out on Tuesday and try to make as many birdies as possible."