FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lee's defending national champions went out early and posted one of the better scores in the second round of the NCAA D2 South/Southeast Regional Tournament from the Grande Oaks Golf Club hosted by Nova Southeastern University. Six teams will advance to the D2 National scheduled for Warren, Ohio on May 22. 

Battling the much tougher conditions on Friday, the Flames finished with a 286 and will take a 569 36-hole (1-over par) total into the final round of the 54-hole event on Saturday. Barry (Fla.) jumped to the top of the leader board (9-under) 559 and 283, West Florida is second (5-under) 563 and 286, followed by North Georgia (E-par) 568 and 286. 

Shorter, after a sizzling first round, slipped to a 298 and trails Lee in the battle for one of the top six places. Carson-Newman, Clayton State, Georgia Southwestern and host Nova Southeastern will also be in the hunt on Saturday.   

Lee sophomore Bennett McNabb continues to lead the Flames, posting his second straight 2-under 69 and holding a two-day total of 138. Oliver Lewis-Perkins was second best on Friday with a par 71 and stands at 144 overall. Beck Burnette, Dustin DeMersseman and Connor Pollman each finished with 2-over 73. Burnette enters the final round at 142, DeMersseman 145 and Pollman 148. 

"It was a tough test out there today, and it felt like a different course," explained Lee Director of Golf and Men's Coach John Maupin. "We really grinded and fought, it wasn't always pretty, but I was proud of the fight.  

Bennett (McNabb) has done an excellent job both days, and we are rallying around that effort. Ollie (Lewis-Perkins) had a big-time finish, playing the tough finishing stretch at -2. I feel like our best round is still out there, and that is a good spot to be in. We are looking forward to tomorrow," concluded the coach.