Oct. 25, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Senior Zack Sucher and sophomore Blake Watts are in a tie for sixth and eighth overall, respectively, to lead the UAB men's golf team through two rounds of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate. As a team, the Blazers two-round total of 590 (293-297) places them in eighth overall entering Sunday's final 18 holes.

"We stumbled a little today and didn't get what we needed to climb up the leaderboard," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "At the same time, we are still in pretty good position to make a run. We just need to have good play (Sunday) top-to-bottom and we'll be fine."

Sucher, who entered the day in a tie for second, played solid after shooting an opening round score of one-under par 71. The Mobile, Ala. native finished Saturday's second round with four birdies and four bogeys to close play with an even par 72 and a two-day tally of one-under par 143. Sucher has now recorded a 72 or below in seven of his last eight rounds.

Watts carded the team-low round of the afternoon, with a one-under par 71. His second-round score tied his career-low 18-hole mark, while his 36-hole tally of 144 (73-71) also tied his career-best score, both of which he set earlier in the season.

"Zack and Blake are playing really well right now," Kaufman said. "We need that to continue and also need some other guys to step up tomorrow to have a chance."

Sophomore Jason Shufflebotham recorded a 77 on the day and is in a tie for 48th overall with a seven-over par 151 on the par-72, 7,147-yard Ridges Golf and Country Club course. Junior Adam West, who also shot a 77 on the afternoon, is in a tie for 61st with a 155 (78-77), while twin brother Blake West rounds out UAB with a 161 (75-86).

Junior John Darby, who is playing as an individual and score does not count toward the team total, is currently at six-over 150 (74-76), which is good enough for 43rd overall.

Wake Forest, ranked No. 39 and one of eight ranked teams in the 14-team field, stormed up the leaderboard with a three-under 285 and will enter Sunday's final 18 holes in first place with an even par 576. The Demon Deacons hold a two-stroke lead over tournament host No. 33 East Tennessee State (578), who was the first round leader. Coastal Carolina is in third overall (578),while No. 36 Ole Miss (580) and No. 22 North Carolina State (585) rounds out the top five.

Sucher is currently three strokes behind individual leader Darren Blair of N.C. State, who shot a three-under 69 to finish with a 36-hole mark of four-under par 140. He holds a one-stroke lead over Coastal Carolina's Dan Obremski (72-69/141).

The third and final round of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate will conclude on Sunday. Fans can keep up with live scoring by visiting Golfstat.com, or getting a complete wrap up of the day's events by visiting UABsports.com at the conclusion of play.