CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Amongst a crowd leaderboard, the Drake men's golf team finds itself in fourth place after 36 holes at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Monday (April 29) at the Dalhousie Country Club with a score of 609 (301-308).

“We are on the front end of a cluster of teams in the standings after today's efforts and I thought everyone was able to draw positives from their performances today,” Drake head coach Matt Lewis commented.  “We need all five players to play well tomorrow and hopefully we can finish in a good spot at the end of the day.”

Fueling the Bulldogs' efforts was redshirt sophomore Devin Leland (Huxley, Iowa), who stands in fifth place following a two-round total of 145.  Leland's 68 over the tournament's initial 18 holes was lowest score among the field, before he fired a 77 in the afternoon session.

“I thought Devin played great today firing six birdies in his opening round to lead the field,” said Lewis.  “In the second round, he got off to a rough start at +5 after three holes before rebounding to finish even par the rest of his round.  We knew par would be a good score and he played extremely solid today to place himself right in contention entering tomorrow's final round.”

Sophomore Dane Worley (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) is tied for 22nd place after recording scores of 79 and 75 for a 154 total.

Two strokes off his pace was freshman Will McDonald (Tulsa, Okla.), who registered a 156 (77-79=156) scorecard to maintain a 30th-place effort.

Juniors Matt Ohl (Milford, Iowa) and Connor Steele (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) rounded out Drake's efforts with scores of 159 (77-82=159/T-37th) and 164 (87-77=164/43rd).

The Bulldogs take to the course for the final 18 holes of the MVC Championship on Tuesday (April 30) with tee times off the first hole between 8:30-9:10 a.m.

DRAKE RESULTS: Devin Leland (68-77=145/5th), Dane Worley (79-75=154/T-22nd), Will McDonald (77-79=156/T-30th), Matt Ohl (77-82=159/T-37th) and Connor Steele (87-77=164/43rd).

MVC CHAMPIONSHIP

APRIL 29, 2013 • 36 HOLES

DALHOUSIE COUNTRY CLUB (CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.)

1) Wichita State – 569 (288-281=569)

2) Illinois State – 593 (297-296=593)

3) Southern Illinois – 600 (304-296=600)

4) Drake – 609 (301-308=609)

5) Bradley – 611 (307-304=611)

6) Evansville – 612 (306-306=612)

Northern Iowa – 612 (309-303=612)

8) Missouri State – 615 (310-305=615)

9) Creighton – 629 (315-314=629)