FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Alabama State's men's golf team opened play at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional with a 313 and completes the opening day of action in 14^th place.
 
The day started promising for the Hornets as Ian Mmbando, Jose Rodriguez and Francis Berthiaume all birdied the first hole.  The team continued to play well on the opening nine holes as they made the turn in sixth place at four over par.  Branson Ferrier and Berthiaume led the way with even par 37's.
 
Robert Grant and Mmbando made the turn with two over par 39's as the Hornets shot a 152 on the front nine which carried a par of 37.
 
“I was pleased with the way they played their first nine,” Head Coach Gary Grandison said.  “We were almost contending making the turn which was good to see.  On the back nine we actually had a stretch of bad holes collectively that all our strokes came from.  We were only a few over par as a team after nine holes.  I feel bad because they actually played well enough to be a little bit higher in the pack.  It is something we will have to learn from and I am sure we will make the adjustment to get ready for tomorrow's round.”
 
The second nine did not start well as the Hornets went five over collectively on the 10^th hole as the tougher back nine jumped up and bit ASU with the Hornets finishing the second nine with a 161 (+21).
 
Berthiaume led the way with a two over 74 (37-37) while Ferrier came in with a four over 76 (37-39).  Ferrier was one under par after a birdie on the 12^th hole, but went five over the rest of the way.
 
Robert Grant finished the day with a seven over 79 (39-40) and Mmbando finished with an 84 (39-45).  Rodriguez came into the locker room with an 88 (44-44).
 
Illinois leads the regional after shooting a six under 282 in the opening round, with Texas (285) and Oklahoma State (286) on three and four shots back.  Those three teams are the only teams that shot under par with the rest of the group packed together.  The Hornets are only 10 shots out of the top 10 and will look to make a move in tomorrow's second round action.
 
The Hornets are only six shots back of Indiana and nine shot back of Kentucky.  Liberty, Tulsa and Missouri-Kansas City are all within 10 shots of the Hornets.
 
“Composure.  We need too, at opportune times, stay relaxed,” Grandison said.  “Sometimes we seem to get impatient at times when we need key shots and it cost us quite a bit.”
 
The Hornets will begin their second round of action tomorrow at 9:40 a.m. when they tee off on hole 10.
 
-Hornets-