DICKSON, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech men's golf team watched several birdie putts slide agonizingly across the lip of the cup early in the day Thursday, setting a frustrating tone for rest of the round as the Golden Eagles tied with Tennessee State for eighth place after the first 18 holes of the Ohio Valley Conference Championship at GreyStone Golf Club.

Sophomore Greg Kitts was Tech's top finisher, shooting a one-over 73 to put him into a tie for 13th place. Sophomore Mason Griffin is tied for 23rd place, one shot back at 74.

After that, Tech has two players -- junior Lee Maxwell and senior Travis Ramsey -- tied for 38th place after scoring rounds of 79. Senior Tyler Cassetty rounds out Tech's tourney lineup, shooting an 81 Thursday to place him 44th.

Austin Peay rolled to an eight-under 280 team total through the first round, and holds a six-shot lead on Jacksonville State at two-under 286. Tennessee-Martin is third at 290, followed by Eastern Kentucky (291) in fourth and Murray State (293) in fifth. The rest of the nine-team field includes Eastern Illinois (294), Morehead State (302), Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech (305).

Austin Peay's Anthony Bradley, who was playing with Maxwell, leads the field after carding a six-under 66. Two shots back with a 68 is Tom Robson of Jacksonville State. They were the only two players to shoot sub-70 rounds.

The second day of the 54-hole, three-day tournament tees off Friday morning. The Golden Eagles are among the first three teams scheduled along with Tennessee State and Morehead State, with Cassetty beginning at 8:30 a.m.