KANSAS CITY, MO. – With a program-best 286 in day two, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team, led by sophomore Gavin Metz tied for second, jumped up the team leader board and is tied for second after the second round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Men's Championships at Shoal Creek Golf Club.

The Cougars, which had three golfers in the top-14 and all five in the top 30, now sit 27-over par 595 (309-286) and four shots out of the lead. In round two, USF shot a two-over par round of 286 on the par 71, 6,983-yard course. Bemidji State, which matched USF for the best second round at 286, is the leader at 591 (305-286). The first day leader Winona State, which led USF by eight strokes after day one, had a 294 today and sit at 595 (301-294) and tied with USF.  Upper Iowa is fourth at 35-over par and 603 (305-298).

The final 18-holes of the NSIC Championship will begin on Sunday morning with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.  

Metz is tied for second overall among individuals as he is three-under par at 143 (75-68). With his career-best three-under par 68, Metz moved up six spots into second place. He trails only Chris Swenson of Bemidji State who has a two-shot lead and is one-under par 141 (72-69).

Metz opened the NSIC Championships with four-over par 75 (36-39). He had 11 pars plus birdies on the par three, 214-yard 11^th hole and the par five, 527-yard 13^th hole in the opening round. Today, he had 13 pars and has 24 for the tournament. On day two, he had birdies on the 195-yard par three third hole, 214-yard par three 11^th hole, 527-yard par five 14^th hole and the 352-yard par four 16^th hole. He now has six birdies during the tournament.

Senior Brenden Bassing moved up seven spots and is tied for 11^th overall with a seven-over par 149 (77-72). Following his 77 on day one, he followed up with a 72 which included 11 pars and three birdies including the 364-yard par four sixth hole, 388-yard par four 10^th hole and the 527-yard par five 13^th.  He now has carded 22 pars and four birdies in two rounds. 
Junior Jack Evans moved up 21 spots to a tie for 14^th after carding a one-under par 70 (35-35). Evans is at nine-over par 151 (81-70) through two rounds. Today, he cut 11 shots off his first day score of 81 and carded a team-high 15 pars along with two birdies, including the 234-yard par three fifth hole and the 364-yard par four sixth hole. In 18 holes, he had just one bogie as he was consistent throughout. He now has 25 pars and four birdies in two days of golf.

Senior Jacob Zosel is sitting at 13-par 155 (76-79) through two rounds and is tied for 24^th overall. Today, he had a 79 (43-36) as he had nine pars plus a birdie on the 527-yard par five 13^th hole.  He has 18 bars and a trio of birdies through two days.  tournament tied for 14 with a 76 (38-38). Zosel had nine pars and birdies on the par four, 364-yard sixth hold and the par five, 579-yard seventh hole.

Senior JJ Cooney is tied for 30^th after he improved five shots from round one to round two. Cooney is 15-over par 157 (81-76) through the two rounds. A three-time All-NSIC golfer, he was part of a squad that played consistent all day with the team ranging from scores of a low of 68 to 79. Today, Cooney had seven pars which gives him 16 for the tournament. He also had birdies on the 418-yard par four fourth hole, the par 5 536-yard ninth hole and the 527-yard par five 13^th. 

The top five golfers will be named NSIC All-Tournament, while the team champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Central/Midwest Regional, which will be played at Shoal Creek Golf Club, and hosted by William Jewell College and the Kansas City Sports Commission on May 6-8. The NCAA Championships will be played May 17-21 at the PGA National Resort, The Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with Palm Beach Atlantic University and Palm Beach County Sports Commission serving as hosts.