LIHUE, HI (February 16, 2018) - Although things have tightened up at the John Burns Intercollegiate it is still UNLV and Shintaro Ban leading the way at Wailua Golf Course.

Behind another solid round from Ban the Rebels have moved to 21-under and they will carry a six shot lead into the final round over No. 3 Texas A&M (-15), Arizona (-10) is third, No. 24 North Carolina (-9) sits in fourth while BYU (-6) is fifth.

One day after firing a 7-under 65 Ban followed it up with a 4-under 68 to reach 11-under and open up a three shot lead in the medalist race. Ban rolled in five birdies while bogeying just once on Friday. His birdies were carded on Nos. 5, 9, 10, 13 and 15.

Behind Ban for UNLV are Harry Hall (T4; -6), Jack Trent (T20; -2) and Garrick Higgo (T20; -2).

Chasing Ban in the individual race are Chandler Phillips (Texas A&M) and David Laskin (Arizona) in second at 8-under while Hall, Jordan Costello (Utah), Perry Cohen (St. Mary's), Blake McShea (UNCW) and Brandon Smith (Texas A&M) are sharing fourth at 6-under.

ROUND ONE RECAP

Paced by medalist leader Shinaro Ban the UNLV Rebels are 18-under and well ahead of the rest of the field following day one of play at the John Burns Intercollegiate hosted by the Wailua Golf Course.

Wth five players in the top-five of the individual standings UNLV was able to open a 13 shot lead over second place No. 3 Texas A&M (-5), No. 24 North Carolina (-3) and BYU (-3) are sharing third while St. Mary's (-3) and Utah (-3) are sharing fifth.

Ban led the Rebel charge on Thursday with a 7-under 65. The senior was 1-over after three-holes but played lights out 8-under golf the ret of the way with his highlight coming in the form of an eagle on the 535 yard par-5 9th that kicked off a run of 5-under golf in four holes. Following the eagle Ban rolled in birdies on Nos. 10-12, they were three of his eight birdies on the day to go along with a double-bogey and a bogey.

Also inside the top-five for UNLV are Harry Hall (T2; -5) and Garrick Higgo (T4; -4) with Jack Trent (T14; -2) also showing well.

Completing the top-five of the individual standings are Hall and David Laskin (Arizona) in second at 5-under, in a tie forth at 4-under it is Filip Lundell (Grand Canyon), Perry Cohen (St. Mary's) and Higgo.

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