Austin Peay State University men's golf team bounced back from struggling opening round to fire a 299 second-round, Saturday, at the Ball State Cardinal Collegiate, being played at the Sultan's Run Golf Club in Jasper, Ind. But the Govs still find themselves in an eighth-place tie heading into Sunday's final round.

The Governors shot an uncharacteristic opening-round 316 during Saturday's morning round before rebounding with the 299, one of three sub-300 second-rounds from the 15-team field. Host Ball State is running away with the tournament, shooting 297-294=591, 34 strokes ahead of the Govs. They also are 15 strokes ahead of second-place Miami of Ohio. The next seven teams are bunched between 611 and 615, where the Govs stand.

Sophomore Brian Balthrop leads the Govs, shooting 76-74 for a six-over 150 on the par-72 course. It leaves him in a 10th-place tie overall.  Another sophomore, Luke Sherrod, rebounded for an opening-round 80 to fire APSU's best round, a 73 in the second round, for a 153.  Junior Erik Barnes (78-75) also sits at 153 (21st-place tie) while senior Matt Coles is at 159 (82-77) and junior Eric Anfinson came in at 168 (85-83). junior Eric Anfinson came in at 168 (85-83).

-AP-