Day #2 Results (.pdf)

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. - Senior Nick Bienz continued his torrid play but the IUPUI men's golf team sank four spots on the leaderboard on day two of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate, hosted by Tennessee Tech at Sevierville Golf Club on Monday (Mar. 18). Bienz carded a second consecutive round of 68 to move into a tie for first-place, but the squad posted a 298 to move from third to seventh ahead of Tuesday's final round. 

Eastern Kentucky took over the team lead at 18-under 558 while Lee University is second at 564. Carson-Newman (575), Tennessee Tech (581) and Northern Kentucky (582) round out the top five while IUPUI sits at 588, two strokes ahead of Horizon League foe Wright State. 

Bienz, who has never collected a collegiate win, is tied with EKU's Martin Eliasson at 8-under 136. He's tops among the field at both par 4 and par 5 scoring while having made 10 birdies over two days. 

"Today was all about keeping the momentum going from yesterday. We knew we needed another good round to stay in the mix. Unfortunately the putts didn't fall for us as a team. Tomorrow, our goal is to put together a good round and hopefully we can finish as the top Horizon League team for the tournament," Bienz said. "I just tried to keep building off yesterday. I tried to stay patient and let the birdies come to me. I knew that the colder temperatures and increased wind would make for tougher conditions. I started the round with a 3-putt bogey and was 2-over through three before I finally started hitting the groove.

"I was able to birdie all four par 5's today, which was key. Tomorrow I am just going to try and keep the same mindset and stay patient and not force anything. If I do that, I think I have a good chance tomorrow."

Senior Austin Crowder is tied for 16th at 145 (72-73) and has eight birdies through 36 holes. Junior Nathan Cunningham sits at 152 (73-79) and senior Jacob Bartley checks in at 156 (77-79). 

True freshman Matthew Baxter rounds out the Jaguars' lineup at 162 (84-78). Baxter has played the par 5's well in the opening two rounds, sitting at 3-under for the tournament. 

IUPUI will be paired with Wright State and Tennessee State and begin teeing off at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.