PINEVILLE, Ky. -- The Tennessee Tech men's golf team started the season in strong fashion Monday with a solid first round score that put the Golden Eagles in fourth place, but they slipped a bit in the second round.

After 36 holes, coach Craig King's team heads into the final round Tuesday in 10th place, just four shots out of fifth place as the lower half of the standings appear aimed for a fighting finish.

Murray State scorched the course with two team scores under par (282-284--566) and holds a commanding 21-shot lead over John A. Logan College (292-295--587) in second place. Southern Illinois (589) is third with Belmont (592) in fourth place.

The remaining six teams are all within four shots, led by Bellarmine and UT Martin at 602, Lipscomb, Walters State and Morehead State at 605, and the Golden Eagles at 606. Tech shot a 299 in the first round, but slipped to a 307 on its second tour of the 6,820-yard, par 72 Waioto Hills Golf Course.

Junior Tyler Cassetty opened with a two-under 70 but jumped to a 79 in the second round, finishing the day tied for 16th place at 149. Lee Maxwell is next for Tech, tied for 21st place after shooting 74-76--150. Greg Kitts (76-78--154) is tied for 44th place, freshman Mason Griffin (79-76--155) is tied for 48th, and Travis Ramsey (81-77--158) is 55th.

Individually, freshman Sam Schrock shot 82-71--153 and is tied for 39th place.