Bryant seventh through 18 holes at Lonnie Barton Invitational

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Top-30 results from junior Connor Henderson (Southborough, Mass.) and sophomore Nick Piersall (Portland, Conn.) helped lead the Bryant University men's golf team to a tie for seventh following the first day of the Lonnie Barton Invitational Monday at LPGA International.

Piersall carded a 4-over 76 and Henderson shot a 77 for the Bulldogs, who are even with Sacred Heart and Towson through 18 holes.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Course: LPGA International – Hills Course (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Par 72 (6,816 yards)

COACH BLANCHARD'S COMMENTS
"For not being able to get out and play on a course yet, we started strong and were hitting a lot of good shots. Ryan Brown was even through 15 and Nick Piersall and Connor Henderson were 2-over. Unfortunately, some early-season mistakes caused those rounds to slip away. We're looking forward to tomorrow's round to clean up some of our mistakes and post a solid number."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Piersall recorded the top Bryant finish of the day with a 76, good for a tie for 23^rd.
• Henderson's 77 places him tied for 30^th through 18 holes.
• Senior Ryan Brown (Bedford, N.H.) and freshman Tyler Hahn (Avon, Conn.) recorded 78s on the afternoon.
• The Bulldogs and Pioneers are tied for the lead among the eight NEC teams competing through the first day of the tournament. Bryant posted the top score of conference teams in action at the event last season.
• Bryant is 23 strokes off the lead, held by defending champion Bethune-Cookman. The Bulldogs are within nine strokes of second with 18 holes to play.

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. Bethune Cookman 286
2. Longwood 300
t3. Iona 301
t3. Wright State 301
5. North Alabama 302
6. Purdue Fort Wayne 306
t7. Bryant 309
t7. Sacred Heart 309
t7. Towson 309
10. Drexel 311
11. Fairleigh Dickinson 312
12. Veteran's Golf Association 315
13. LIU Brooklyn 318
t14. Holy Cross 319
t14. Mount St. Mary's 319
16. North Carolina A&T 320
17. Fairfield 324
18. Saint Francis U 331
19. Midway 335
20. Wagner 337
21. St. Francis Brooklyn 372

INDIVIDUAL SCORES/STANDINGS
t23. Nick Piersall 76
t30. Connor Henderson 77
t39. Ryan Brown 78
t39. Tyler Hahn 78
t90. Matthew Stafford 83
t97. Doug Champagne 84 ^

^ Playing as individual

UP NEXT
Bryant plays the final 18 holes of its season-opening tournament Tuesday at LPGA International.

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