TUCSON, AZ (Apri 23, 2016) - During a windy second round New Mexico (565) turned a first round five-stroke deficit into a 36-hole lead at the MWC Championships. Playing on the Catalina Course at OMNI Tucson National New Mexico moved in front thanks for four players inside the top-20 of the leadboard. New Mexico will begin the final round two-strokes ahead of second place UNLV (567) and six in front of first round leader Fresno State (571).

"It was a very good round by our team today. We played in breeze all day and it got really windy on the back nine, our guys did an excellent job today" New Mexico head coach Glen Millican.

Freshman Sam Kim is currently pacing the Lobos at 7-under and is in second place, one stroke behind in the individual standings. Kim, one of the top Junior players in the country the last fews years, has used rounds of 69-68 to make has way to the top of the leaderboard.

On Saturday Kim birdied seven holes and bogeyed three. From holes 2-9 Kim only parred one hole as he swapped birdie for bogey on his way to a 1-under 35 on the front nine. The back side 3-under 33 was bogey-free for Kim as he carded his final three birdies.

The Lobos are also receiving strong play from sophomore Gustavo Morantes, junior Andrej Bevins, redshirt sophomore Andre Garcia all which are tied for 17th at 1-under.

Nevada's Corey Eddings (-8) continues to lead the medalist race as he followed up his first round 65 with a second round 1-under 71. Eddings only birdies of the day came on the 11th and 12th holes while his lone blemish was on No. 7. When the sophomore looks in his rear view mirror before Sunday's final round he will see six golfers within four of the lead.

-New Mexico athletics contributed to this story

ROUND ONE STORY

Fresno State (275) is the early leader at the MWC Championship being played on the Catalina Course at OMNI Tucson National. No. 22 San Diego State (280) the defending champions and New Mexico (280) are tied for second place five-strokes back.

The Bulldogs grabbed the first day lead thanks to three players in the top-6. Fresno, CA native Trevor Clayton (-6) is pacing the team sitting in second place, one shot off the individual lead. Clayton had eight birdies and two bogeys during his opening round 66.

Sophomore Justin Avery (-3) and freshman Alex Lee (-3) are part of a six-way tie for third after first round 69's. Sophomore Greg Gildea (-1) also played well with a 71 and is tied for 13th.

Nevada sophomore Corey Eddings (-7) is the medalist leader thanks to an opening 65. Eddings was nearly perfect on Friday with an eagle on the par-5 10th and six birdies. The only stroke Eddings dropped was on 18.

“Today was a great start to the championship,” said Nevada head coach Jacob Wilner. “Corey (Eddings) played an incredible round and we turned in three other solid scores.”

Completing the first round top-5 in the team standings are Colorado State (281) in fourth and Nevada (285) in fifth.

-Nevada athletics contributed to this story

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