LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Louisiana Tech senior golfer Sam Murphy recorded a career-best seven-under-par 65 in the second round of the Little Rock Invitational to lift the Bulldogs four spots to eighth place for a combined team score of -3 (573) on Monday.
 
"I really enjoyed watching the guys get it going this afternoon," head coach Matt Terry said. "We need to wake up tomorrow and get in the same flow."
 
After finishing the first round with a combined team score of +8 (296), the Bulldogs bounced back in the second round at -11 (277). S. Murphy finished round two at -7 (65) after recording five straight birdies from holes 15 through one. His -7 was tied for the second lowest individual round score of the day, while the 277 team round is tied for the second lowest team round in program history.
 
Two other Bulldogs finished the second round under par as junior James Swash finished at -3 (69) and sophomore Lake Juban finished the round at -1 (71). Swash and junior Blake Blaser each recorded an eagle during the round at holes 12 and 16, respectively.
 
LA Tech struggled in the first round of the tournament as senior Mac Murphy was the only Bulldog to finish under par at -1 (71) after recording five birdies in the round.
 
After the first two rounds of the tournament, S. Murphy led LA Tech with a combined -4 (75-65=140) to tie for ninth. M. Murphy also finished the day in the top-25 after tying for 23rd at a -1 (71-72=143).
 
Swash (77-69=146, T-34th), Juban (75-71=146, T-34th), sophomore Hunter Battles (75-73=148, T-45th) and Blaser (84-77=161, 84th) rounded out the LA Tech scoring at the event.
 
Arkansas State finished first after day one of the Little Rock Invitational with a combined team score of -23 (553). Little Rock -17 (559), UT Arlington -15 (561), Abilene Christian -12 (564) and Louisiana-Lafayette -9 (567) rounded out the top five.   
 
Louisiana Tech will look to continue round two's success in the final round of the Little Rock Invitational on Tuesday. LA Tech will tee off at 8 a.m. (CT). Fans can also follow up-to-date scoring through live results at Golfstat.com.
 
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