Results

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Rhode Island's Bryson Richards and Brandon Gillis are both within five strokes of the overall leader after two rounds at the Rutherford Intercollegiate, hosted by Penn State. The Rams played a solid day of golf, particularly in the second round, and they sit in fifth place in the 12-team field heading into Sunday's final round.

Richards made a big move in the second round. He was in 14th place after the morning round, but he charged 10 spots up the leaderboard with a 3-under 68 on the Penn State Blue Course. He sank five birdies in the second round, including four in a span of five holes.

Gillis was more consistent over the two rounds, firing a 1-under opening round and following it up with an even par later in the day. He is just five strokes behind Valparaiso's Caleb VanArragon, who caught fire late in the day. He shot a 6-under, bogey-free second round after hitting par in the opening round.

As a team, Rhode Island shot even par in the second round, shaving six strokes off its opening round score. Aidan O'Donovan (+1), Andrew DiPetrillo (+2) and Chuck Tragesser (+5) provided steady and consistent scoring to put the Rams in the top half of the field. The play of the entire lineup gave the Rams the third-lowest team score of the second round.

Valparaiso topped the team standings after two rounds with a 562. Five strokes behind in second place are host Penn State (567) and Georgetown (567), followed by California Baptist (573) and Rhode Island (574).

The teams will play 18 holes on Sunday to complete the tournament.

Head Coach Gregg Burke Said...
"We played a lot of very good golf today. The four guys who scored for us each round combined for 11-over on the final four holes for the day. A little more luck there and we are battling for the lead.

"We took a step up to play in this tournament and showed we belong. In the second round we beat Penn State on its home course, which is pretty good.

"Bryson and Brandon both played really solid golf. Bryson is on a roll right now.

"Everyone knew how important this tournament was to selecting an Atlantic 10 Championship lineup, so to see Geronimo go two red in the afternoon after going just two-over in the morning round was tremendous. Aidan stepped up big time as well. In the afternoon round he was four over after four and went three red for the final 14.

"Andrew continued to shake off the rust and even without his best stuff had a solid day.

"We have a chance to win this if everyone plays their best. Both Bryson and Brandon have a chance to win medalist honors with a strong day."

Team Standings (After Two Rounds)
1. Valparaiso - 562
t-2. Penn State - 567
t-2. Georgetown - 567
4. Cal Baptist - 573
5. Rhode Island - 574
6. Appalachian State - 576
7. Connecticut - 579
8. Towson - 580
9. Delaware - 585
10. George Mason - 591
11. Temple - 591
12. Central Michigan - 596

Tournament Info

• Rutherford Intercollegiate
• Penn State Blue Course - State College, Pa.
• Par 71 (7,171 yards)
• First Round: Saturday, April 15
• Second Round: Saturday, April 15
• Third Round: Sunday, April 16