GULF SHORES, Ala. -- The gulf breezes didn't blow kindly for Tennessee Tech Monday during the first round of the UAB Beach Blast. The Golden Eagles are in eighth place, looking up at the rest of the field in the 36-hole, eight-team tournament being held at the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club.

The final round begins Tuesday with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

Memphis holds a nine-shot lead over a pair of teams tied for second. The Tiger women shot a 292 team total Monday, four-over par, with Marshall and Louisiana-Monroe tied at 301. Belmont (305) is fourth, followed in the standings by Austin Peay (308) West Florida (313), UAB (315) and Tech (319).

Katherine Bell had Tech's best score on Monday, shooting a 77 to put her in a five-way tie for 17th place. Two shots back at 79 is Amanda Randolph, and one more shot back is Lindsay Spradlen with an 80. Freshmen Brandy VanEtten and Ericka Wann are tied at 83, followed on the Tech scorecard by Amber Shepherd at 86 and Katy Glover with an 88.

Ali Lucas of Memphis holds the individiual lead after firing an opening round 70.

The UAB Beach Blast is the final event of the fall schedule for coach Brandy Stout's team.