CHARLESTON, S.C. – While battling rainy conditions in the first round of the Daniel Island Intercollegiate at the Ralston Creek Course, Louisiana Tech overcame a rocky start to finish Sunday in a tie for sixth at 305 (+17).
 
LA Tech began on the back nine, which proved to be challenging for the field that included seven teams ranked in the top 100 as no player in the tournament ended the day in red numbers. 
 
The Bulldogs only carded two birdies on holes 10-18, shooting a combined +20.  However, the team settled in as they make the turn.  Thomas Henson, Lake Juban and James Swash all made improvements on holes 1-9, scoring 35, 36, and 37, respectively (combined for all five front nine birdies).
 
Henson and Swash had the low rounds for LA Tech, each shooting 75 (+3) to be in a tie for 14th individually.  Henson sank a team-high three birdies, which all came during a four-hole stretch.
 
Juban was the third-best finisher for the Bulldogs, carding a 77 (+5), and Will Patrick had the fourth-best score of 78 (+6). 
 
Florida Gulf Coast (295 = +7) and Mississippi State (296 = +8) head into Monday in first and second as LA Tech is just two shots back of third.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Matt Terry
 
"It was tough conditions today, raining most of the round with 8-10 mph winds.  The guys started on the toughest stretch of the course, but we had some play at times.  We need to clean up a few big numbers and give ourselves some easier chances on certain holes.  I am looking forward to seeing the team make some adjustments and execute a little better tomorrow to give ourselves a chance on Tuesday."
 
NOTABLES

• The top four scorers combined to shoot +5 on the front nine.
• Thomas Henson shot -1 on the front nine, including a stretch of three birdies in four holes.
• The best hole for the Bulldogs was the par 5 No. 6 where they carded three birdies to shoot a combined -3.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will play another 18 holes as part of Round 2 on Monday at the Daniel Island Intercollegiate.
 
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