TULSA, Okla. – The Lamar University Cardinals bounced back from a sluggish start to move into second place after the first day of the Mark Allen ORU Shootout on Monday.
 
The Cardinals, who are looking to defend their team title in the event, were ninth in the 17-team field after an opening-round score of 21-over-par 309 before posting the low score of the day in the afternoon with a 6-over-par 294 on the par-72, 6,085-yard layout at the Meadowbrook Country Club to stand at 27-over-par 603. LU senior Olivia Le Roux led the charge with a 1-under-par 71 in the afternoon to move into a tie for third place at 2-over-par 146 for 36 holes.
 
"Olivia worked very hard today," LU coach Jessica Steward said after Monday's second round. "She wasn't feeling the greatest, but sometimes that actually helps. It keeps your focus away from your score."
 
The Cardinals trail the host Oral Roberts Golden Eagles by three strokes. Oral Roberts, which led after a 298 in the first round, posted a 302 in the afternoon to finish the day at 24-over 600. UTEP is third at 28-over 604, while Arkansas State is fourth at 30-over 606. The Cardinals are tops among the six Southland Conference schools in the tournament. McNeese is the next SLC squad, ending the day at 37-over 613 after rounds of 308 and 305.
 
"We made up a lot of ground against the leaders during our second round, and if we come out on Tuesday focused on executing our strategy, we will have a fantastic day," Steward said.
 
LU's Elodie Chapelet is tied for 15^th at 7-over-par 151 after rounds of 75 and 76. Eva Martinez Calavia, who won the USA Intercollegiate in her LU debut last week stands tied for 19^th at 8-over-152. After carding an 80 in the morning, Martinez Calavia responded with an even-par 72 in the afternoon. Felicia Sauceda is tied for 28^th at 10-over-par 154 after rounds of 79 and 75. Brooke Duzan, making her collegiate debut, rebounded after an 86 in the morning to post a 77 in the afternoon to end the day tied for 79^th in the 90-player field at 163.
 
Verena Gimmy of Missouri State leads the individual race at 4-under 140 after shooting a 70 in each of the first two rounds. Shani White of Louisiana-Monroe is second at 1-over 145 after rounds of 72 and 73.
 
"The first round just didn't work in our favor. We couldn't get any putts to drop," Steward said. However, we could have responded a little better. The ladies got frustrated, and I think it cost us some strokes.
 
"They did a fantastic job of staying patient and relaxed, but focused in the afternoon. If they did that every round, they would win every single event we compete in."
 
Tuesday's final round is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Following the ORU Shootout, the Cardinals are idle until competing at the Yale Bulldog Women's Invitational. Set for Oct. 6-8 in New Haven, Connecticut.