GOODYEAR, Ariz. (2/28/16) – The Arkansas State men's golf team shot a 9-under-par 279 Sunday at the Palm Valley Golf Club to complete the Loyola Intercollegiate's opening round tied for fifth place among 17 teams.

The Red Wolves, competing in their first spring tournament, were led by two players ending the initial round among the top-15 individual leaders, including sophomore Tanner Napier and senior Seth Garner . A-State is currently tied with Seton Hall and will enter tomorrow's second round only one stroke behind fourth-place James Madison. Indiana is in first place after shooting a 271, while William & Mary stands second with a 275 and Connecticut third with a 277.

Napier carded a career-best 66 that not only counted as the lowest round this year by an A-State golfer, but tied the program's third-best round over the last nine years. He is currently tied for second place and only one stroke behind leader Zach Zaback of Connecticut.

Garner, who is looking for his third straight top-15 showing, finished the first round tied for 14th place. He tied his season-low round with a 69, which also matched the second best score of his career.

A-State senior Oswin Schlenkrich and freshman Joel Wendin also ended the opening round among the top 40 leaders in the 104-player field. They both shot a 72 to place them tied for 38th.

Also competing for the Red Wolves, sophomore Andrew Huseman is tied for 74th place with a 75 and junior Matt Loiacano tied for 82nd with a 76. Loiacano is competing as an individual.