The Murray State Racers began the day 12 shots off the lead of Eastern Kentucky, but by day’s end, their 298 cut the Colonels’ lead to six strokes heading into Wednesday’s final round at The Shoals Golf Club.
The Racers (307-298=605) are looking for their first OVC title since 2010 and their ninth all-time.
Lone senior Delaney Howson carded the lowest round in the history of the event with a 4-under-par 68. Howson continued to start well at the Fighting Joe Course taking advantage of the first three holes. Through two rounds, Howson has made five birdies on this stretch with one par. Howson’s scores of 71-68=139 means she’ll have a six-shot lead over EKU’s Anna Gleixner who had scores of 72-73=145.
In setting the OVC Tournament record with a 4-under-par 68, Howson bested the 69 that was carded three times including: Amanda Phillips of Austin Peay in 2001, April Emerson of EKU in 2010 and Paige Lausier of Morehead State in 2011.
MSU’s team effort included several other strong performances.
Sydney Trimble moved into fourth place with a second round 73, while Abbie Stamper and Jackie Van Meter carded a 78 and 79. Trimble had scores of 76-73=149, while Stamper had scores of 80-78=158 and was in 21st place. Sophie Hiller and Van Meter shared 32nd place in the field of 50 players. Hiller had scores of 80-84=164 and Van Meter was 85-79=164.
EKU’s 599 is the lead through 36 holes, with the Racers (605), Jacksonville State (606), Tennessee Tech (614) and Morehead State (620) making up the top-5. Austin Peay (635), Belmont (643), SIUE (644), Eastern Illinois (673) and Tennessee State (716) round out the rest of the field.
MSU’s 298 was the eighth-best round in the history of the OVC Tournament.
MSU will again be paired with EKU and JSU as they were in the first two days of the event. Hillier leads the Racers off at 10:30 a.m., followed by Van Meter at 10:40 a.m. Stamper hits her first shot at 10:50 a.m., with Trimble going at 11 a.m. and Howson at 11:10 a.m.
The Shoals is playing to a par-72 and 6,203 yards for the OVC Women’s Championship.
