April 18, 2001

Box Score

Contact: Bruce Ludlow (972) 422-9500

ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. ^~ Lamar University added 14 strokes to its opening-round total and saw its lead decrease at the Southland Conference Golf Championship at The Bluffs on Thompson Creek course in St. Francisville, La., today. The Cardinals, who shot 290 on Monday, had an eight-stroke lead a day ago cut to five, 594-599, by second-place McNeese State University.

At stake as the 54-hole championship resumes play at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday with final-round action is the Southland,s automatic bid to the NCAA Golf Championship.

Southeastern Louisiana University, tied with McNeese after round one, slipped to third with a second-round 303 while the other team tied for second, the University of Texas-San Antonio, stumbled with a 314 on Tuesday and fell into a tie for seventh place.

Lamar freshman Chris Stroud, who shot an opening-round 68, continues to lead the pack of 50 golfers after shooting the only sub-par round on Tuesday. The Port Neches, Texas, product shot 71 during second-round action and enters Wednesday's final round at minus-five and as the only golfer under par for the tournament.

Sam Houston State senior Doug Sinitiere is even par after shooting 72 in each of the first two rounds.

As a team, Lamar, the Conference,s all-time winningest men,s golf program with 12 championship trophies, is looking to capture its first since 1987. The Cardinals were victorious in the Southland,s first 10 championships (1964-73) and won six of seven from 1981 through 1987. Lamar left the Southland following the 1987 season and is looking for its first title since rejoining the league in 1999.

-SLC-