DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomore Matt Lavery led the Drake University men's golf team on the first day of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Monday at the Prairie Dunes Country Club, as the Bulldogs are tied for sixth-place with Evansville.

"I was very proud of the way the entire team battled from start to finish. We played pretty well all day except our final three holes, we were 10 over," Drake head coach Matt Lewis said. "Matt had a solid day and played with great confidence."

Lavery began his day shooting a 72 and ended it, firing a 74 for a total score of 146 and is tied for seventh-place. Just three strokes separates the final four Bulldogs with freshman Jack Kennedy leading the foursome with a score of 151 (76-75) and tied for 23rd-place.  Fellow freshman Tommi Avant recorded a 152 (75-77), while senior Blake Huser tallied a 153 (75-78). Sophomore Drew Ison rounded out the team's effort with a score of 154 (75-79).

The Bulldogs and the Purple Aces finished the first 36 holes with a score of 601. Drake started out strong, finishing the first round in fourth-place with a score of 297. The Bulldogs ended the day with a score of 304. The Bulldogs and EU are just two strokes behind fifth-place Bradley as Southern Illinois holds a five-stroke lead over second-place Wichita State.

 "We have a game plan set and are ready to compete, and are excited to get back out there tomorrow."

The final round of the MVC Championship will get underway at 8:30 a.m.