Bulldogs tied for eighth after first round of Hartford Hawks Invite

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite a day full of rain and humidity, the Bryant University golf team played the first round of the Hartford Hawks Invite Monday and sits tied for eighth in the 19-team field entering Tuesday's final round.

With a first-round score of 292, the Bulldogs are knotted with fellow Northeast Conference member Fairleigh Dickinson and Bethune-Cookman and sit just one stroke back on St. John's. URI and Sam Houston State are tied in fifth after a Monday 290, while Towson (286), Seton Hall (282), UCF (279) and Cal Poly (276) lead the field.

Rookie Will Del Biaggio (San Jose, Calif.) leads the Bulldogs with a 72 and sits tied for 26th overall, while seniors Ryan Tombs (Bedford, N.H.) and McKinley Slade (Saunderstown, R.I.) are knotted in 37th after carding scores of 73.

Senior John Roberts (West Hartford, Conn.) follows just a stroke behind the pair and is tied for 48th, while sophomore Ryan Brown (Bedford, N.H.) posted a 78 for a tie for 77th. Playing as an individual, junior Gabriel Van Ness (Clinton, Conn.) enters Tuesday play tied for 84th (79) on the individual circuit.

UCF's Donnie Trosper leads the 106-golfer field after a day one 65.

Play resumes Tuesday at 8 a.m. from Bull's Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Conn.