Axtell, Neb. - Playing the first round at Awarii Dunes Golf Club the Missouri Southern Men's Golf Team shot a 1-over 289 for the first round in the MIAA Points event.

Leading the Lions was junior Connor Neil who carded a 3-under 69, the lowest round of his career at Southern. Sophomore Tristan Haltom finished the opening round at 2-under 70 while seniors Cameron Hamilton and Taylor Lansford finished at 2-over (74) and 4-over (76) respectively. Rounding out the team was sophomore Adam Vining at 8-over 70.

Neil sits in a tie for third place with Tait Darby of Henderson State and Nebraska-Kearney's Brad Hill, just one stroke back of the co-leaders. Haltom is in a tie for sixth place with Hamilton tied for 31st, Lansford in a tie for 47th and Vining in 80th.

Southern is just three strokes back of the host Lopers in the team competition while Central Oklahoma trails the Lions by one stroke (290) and both the defending MIAA Champion Central Missouri Mules and Washburn Ichabods at 291. Also in a tie for fourth is Southeastern Oklahoma State of the Great American Conference with a 291 and following them is GAC rival Southwestern Oklahoma State with a first round of 292. Another GAC member is in eighth place after the first round as Arkansas Tech carded a first round 298 and a pair of NJCAA schools appear next on the leader board with Iowa Western and Hutchinson CC both carding 299. Henderson State (300) sits in 11th after the opening round followed by Northeastern State (301), Lincoln (304), NCAA D-1 member North Dakota and Harding at 306 round out the top 14. The final six are made up of Lindenwood and Missouri Western with identical first rounds of 307, NAIA Midland University carded a team total of 309 and Southwest Baptist (311) and  Fort Hays State (328).

The second round was called due to darkness at 7:45 p.m. and the rest of that round will be started at 9 a.m. on Tuesday with the final round having a shot gun start around 11:30 a.m.