By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – Another spectacular showing on the links kept the Tennessee Tech men's golf team in great position to secure a final four ranking and berth to the match play portion of the Ohio Valley Conference Championships Monday afternoon, as the purple and gold completed round two of competition on the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Topping Monday's round of 292, the Golden Eagles fired off a 3-under 285 on Monday, maintaining their second-place standing behind tournament leader Little Rock with a score of 577 for the two days of play. The Trojans shot 279 for a 570 composite score, paced by individual leader Archie Smith and his two-day total of 138.

Catapulting his way up the leaderboard of 55 golfers, Tech's Haden Maxwell delivered the top round of the tournament through 36 holes with a career-low, 6-under 66. The sophomore played a bogey-free round while leaping up to a tie for second place in the field, racking up six birdies and 12 pars to sit at 142 heading into the final round of stroke play on Tuesday.

Staying consistent, veteran Mark McDearman ended his day just one shot back of his teammate, placing fifth overall after totaling 143. The senior carded four birdies and 11 pars on his way to a 1-under 71.

Fellow senior Sean Anderson put a cap on his second round with a score of 75, tying for 11th with one round to go. He turned in one birdie to go along with 13 pars while totaling 147 for the two days of action.

Producing a 1-over 73 with a pair of birdies and 14 pars, Jackson Skeen concluded the day tied for 15th overall. The junior combined the round with his 75 from Sunday to post a 148 through two trips around the course. 

Sophomore Anders Larson was forced to withdraw from action on Monday due to injury. 

The third and final round of stroke play at the OVC Championships will see the Golden Eagles tee off at 10:26 a.m. CT Tuesday morning. 

File photo by Emily Armstrong