By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

CINCINNATI, Ohio. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team came one step closer to finishing its fall campaign Monday afternoon, working through the first two rounds of the Xavier Invitational presented by Gateway Logistics at Maketewah Country Club.

The purple and gold produced rounds of 304 and 297 on the day, totaling 601 to tie for 10th among the 12-team field with Oakland. UIndy topped the leaderboard after day one, sporting back-to-back scores of 282 for a 564 and two-stroke lead over Austin Peay. UConn's Connor Goode and the Gov's Seth Smith shared the individual lead, both sitting at 2-under 138.

Just two shots off the lead, Golden Eagle Alex Broyles tied for third among the 64 competitors with a score of 140. The sophomore carded back-to-back rounds of even-par 70, piling up five birdies in round one before rocking six more in his second trip around the course.

Next among the Tech lineup, Haden Maxwell kicked off the day with a 77 and four birdies before shaving six strokes from his effort for a 1-over 71 and three more birdies in round two. The junior concluded the day tied for 36th with a score of 148.

Rookie Hil Thompson turned in rounds of 76 and 79 in his first action at Maketewah Country Club, totaling 155 overall with a trio of birdies in each round. Sophomore Matthew Shull showed improvement throughout the day, posting an 81 in round one with two birdies before finishing round two with a 77 and two more birdies. He totaled 158 through two rounds.

Rounding out the Tech lineup, Alexander Bassel completed day one of play with a 164. He produced back-to-back rounds of 82, sporting a birdie in his second trip around the links.

The Golden Eagles will open the third and final round of action with a shotgun start beginning at 7:00 a.m. CT Tuesday at Maketewah Country Club.

File photo by Mark Elsner