San Antonio, Texas - The Missouri Southern golf team is sitting in 8th place after day 1 at the Rattler Invitational hosted by St. Mary's University.

Southern improved their score by three strokes in round two following a 302 first round at the 7,007 yard par 71 The Republic Golf Club in San Antonio. The Lions are one stroke behind seventh place West Texas A&M, 600, and two strokes back of sixth place Oklahoma Christian, 599.

The weather held up nicely most of the day, 70 degrees before lunch time, but began to drizzle throughout the conclusion of the second round as NCAA D-I Incarnate Word used a second round of 278 to move up five spots into a tie for first with St. Edward's University at 10 over par 578. The Lions are ahead of Central Regional opponents Northwestern Oklahoma State, 656, and MIAA foe Southwest Baptist, 656. 

Senior Ryan Buerk is leading the Lions as he finished the day with a two round total of 138 (68-70) for a -4 under score and second place headed into tomorrow's final round. Buerk birdied holes two, four, and six in the first round for a 3 under par score and then birdied two, eight, and fourteen while bogeys at eleven and eighteen gave him a 1 under par score for the second.

Sophomore Taylor Lansford moved up 18 spots in the second round as he finished with a day one total of 150 (78-72) 8 over par. Lansford birdied holes six and nine to move the 18 spots from a tie for 41st into a tie for 23rd.

Sophomore Trae Fairchild finished with a two round total of 155 (77-78) for a tie for 41st as he birdied fifteen in round one and eight in round two. Freshman Connor Neil picked up four birdies on the day as he finished the first day with a total of 159 (79-80) one stroke ahead of Goines in a tie for 53rd. Freshman Chas Goines moved up three spots from his first round finish into a tie for 55th as he carded a two round 160 (81-79) that included three birdies. 

The third and final round of the 54 hole tournament will start tomorrow with a shot gun start at 8:30 am.