JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - So much for the IUPUI men's golf team having to polish off the rust as they began their spring schedule at the Don Benbow Invitational, hosted by Butler at the par-71 Jacksonville Beach Golf Club on Monday. The Jaguars turned in an opening round 287 and lead the 11-team field by four shots heading into Tuesday's final round.

"We didn't finish well, but we haven't played a round of competitive golf four four-and-a-half months," IUPUI Head Coach John Andrews said. "The guys expect to win. The expectations as a team are quite high. I know right now they're pretty excited - they love being on top."

It was a balanced effort that put the Jags on top as junior Ben Engle carded a two-under 70 on Monday and is tied for second. Behind him, freshman Juan Diego Plasencia and junior Michael Powell both fired a one-under 71 and are part of a six-way tie for fourth. Appalachian State's Josh Nichols blitzed the field with an opening round 65 while Engle is tied with Creighton's Austin Miller for second.

IUPUI scored well, despite facing adversity late in the round. Senior Ben Moster suffered a wrist injury on the 12th hole and struggled over the final six holes of the round. His status is questionable for Tuesday's round as well.

"Even if (Ben) Moster can't play, they expect to win," Andrews said. "It's not an overconfidence thing, it's more of an overall mindset and I credit (Michael) Davan for that. He came from a junior college program that won a lot, and he kind of infused that into our team. Not that (Ben) Engle and (Michael) Powell needed a lot of motivation, but I think Davan gave us a lift."

Appalachian State is second at 291 and Cleveland State and Georgia Southwestern are tied for third at 295. Green Bay is fifth at 297 and Creighton is sixth at 299. The Jaguars' 287 tied for the sixth-best single-round of the season and 13th best in school history.

IUPUI will begin Tuesday's final round at 7:30 a.m..

Team Standings
1. IUPUI - 287 (+3)
2. Appalachian State - 291 (+7)
t-3. Cleveland State - 295 (+11)
t-3. Georgia Southwestern - 295 (+11)
5. Green Bay - 297 (+13)
6. Creighton - 299 (+15)
7. Florida A&M - 307 (+23)
t-8. Alabama State - 308 (+24)
t-8. Bradley - 308 (+24)
10. Butler - 309 (+25)
11. Eastern Illinois - 312 (+28)

Individual Standings
t-2. Ben Engle - 70 (-2)
t-4. Juan Diego Plasencia - 71 (-1)
t-4. Michael Powell - 71 (-1)
t-23. Michael Davan - 75
t-67. Ben Moster - 82
t-27. *Jose Pablo Segurola - 76
t-51. *Philip Wirkkala - 79
  *played as an individual