Team Standings | Individual Leaderboard

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Freshman Luke Stennett spent the entire day atop the individual leaderboard, but late struggles cost Rhode Island to slip in the team standings at the end of the second round at the Rutherford Intercollegiate Saturday.

The Rams had a stellar opening round, shooting 3-under as a team to carry a four-stroke lead into the second round. Stennett and Sean Magarian were both under par in the opening round for the Rams. Stennett fired seven birdies in route to a 5-under 66 in the first round, while Magarian had three birdies and 14 pars for a strong 2-under round.

Stennett and Long Island's Arjun Singh Bhatia lead the tournament and are both two strokes ahead of Delaware's Pasit Iampongsai.

"Job one was to play in the final group and we accomplished that," Rhode Island head coach Gregg Burke said. "We're playing with two teams which have beat us before with a couple more behind us who could win this.

"Make no mistake - this was a good day of golf for us. As it has been all year, Luke gave us a great couple rounds and has put himself in position to win the tournament if he cleans up a few little things."

It was strong play all around for the Rams in the first 18 holes. Josiah Tong and Aidan O'Donovan both were 2-over, while Tyler Bruneau was right behind at 3-over. Tony Liu, who is playing as an individual, shot even par in the opening round.

After maintaining its lead for much of the second round, four bogeys and two double bogeys over the final three holes of Round Two caused URI to give back seven strokes to the field, as Delaware and LIU passed Rhody late in the day.

Rhode Island is in third place in the 12-team field. The Rams are 4-over heading into the final round, trailing only Delaware (1-under) and Long Island (2-over).

"We got a very good day from Sean for sure, but we need better score from the other three simply because they are that good," Burke said. "I've said for years, the tough players play well at the end of rounds, at the end or tournaments, and at the end of seasons. We gave back seven shots in the final three holes today and I know our character will not let that happen tomorrow."

The teams will play one round Sunday morning, with play beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Team Standings (Through Round Two)
1. Delaware – 286-281=567
2. Long Island – 285-285=570
3. Rhode Island – 281-291=572
4. Longwood – 292-281=573
5. Penn State – 290-285=575
6. Western Carolina – 293-289=582
6. Connecticut – 293-289=582
8. Towson – 285-302=587
9. Oakland – 296-301=597
9. St. Bonaventure – 300-297=597
11. Bucknell – 292-311=603
12. Binghamton – 305-302=607