MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. -- A career-best opening round from Ryan Morant guided the RiverHawks to fifth after 36 holes of the MSSU Invitational Monday.  

Morant fired off a four-under, 68 his first round through the Shangri-La Golf Club and was tied for the lead at one point in the afternoon.  He would finish the day one-under-par carding a 143 (68-75).  

Brayden Strickland turned in his career-best score in the afternoon with a 67, besting his previous low by three strokes.  He leaped up 51 spots on the leaderboard and is tied for 12th overall with a 144 (77-67). 

Northeastern State was as high as second place midway through the afternoon round before slipping to fifth, carding a 586 (295-291).  The RiverHawks are just three back of second place, with Hutchinson CC holding a 15 shot lead on the leaderboard.

Carlos Gomez shot a 150 (74-76), which landed him tied for 39th and Dominic Stevens was a stoke back (78-73) tied for 46th.  Brett Wilcoxen rounded out the NSU five with a 153 (76-77) and was tied for 57th. 

Harry Crockett of Hutchinson CC is the medalist leader by one-stroke shooting a 141. 

The RiverHawks close out the tournament Tuesday morning for the final round of play. 

Team Score
5. Northeastern State        295-291=586 +10

Individual Scores
T7.    Ryan Morant        68-75=143 -1     
T12.    Brayden Strickland    77-67=144 E
T39.    Carlos Gomez        74-76=150 +6       
T46.    Dominic Stevens    78-73=151 +7
T57.    Brett Wilcoxen        76-77=153 +9