April 25, 2001

Navarre, Fla. - For the second day in a row, Houston shot the lowest round of the day to give the Cougars a seven stroke lead heading into the final round of the Conference USA Men's Golf Championship being played at The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre, Fla.

The Cougars' compiled a team total of four over par 292 Tuesday and are at six-over 582 through the first two rounds. Second place UAB posted a five over 293 and are four strokes ahead of third place South Florida, which checked in at 295. Southern Miss is fourth, one stroke ahead of Louisville. Memphis and Cincinnati are tied for sixth, followed by Charlotte, DePaul, Marquette, Saint Louis and Tulane.

The Bulls also boast the tourney's individual leader in senior Brett Hitchcock of South Florida. Hitchcock fired a one under par 71 Tuesday and is at three under par 141 through 36 holes. Charlotte sophomore Mike Shamp carded his second straight 71 Tuesday and is one stroke back of the individual lead at 142, two-under par. Louisville's Chris Campbell is the lone other golfer under par as he followed a first round 69 with a 74 and is at one under par 143. First round leader Tele Wightman of South Florida and Houston's Simon Robinson are tied for fourth at even par 144. Charlotte freshman Clint Deibert, who opened play with a one-under par 71 is tied for 11th at 147 (+3), following a second round 76.

Houston's top four golfers are all in the top 12 through two rounds. The Cougars have won the C-USA Championship in each of the last four seasons. Charlotte won the title in 1996, in the league's first year and boasts three runner-up finishes.

TEAM SCORES

Fin Team Scores

1 Houston, Univ. of 290 292 582 +6

2 UAB 296 293 589 +13

3 So. Florida, U. of 298 295 593 +17

4 Southern Mississippi 295 302 597 +21

6 Memphis, U. of 307 300 607 +31

Cincinnati, U. of 296 311 607 +31

8 Charlotte 297 311 608 +32

9 De Paul University 309 302 611 +35

10 Marquette University 306 307 613 +37

11 St. Louis University 313 305 618 +42

12 Tulane University 307 317 624 +48

TOP 20 INDIVIDUALS

Name School Scores

1 Brett Hitchcock So Florida 70 71 141 -3

2 Mike Shamp Charlotte 71 71 142 -2

3 Chris Campbell Louisville 69 74 143 -1

4 Tele Wightman So Florida 68 76 144 E

Simon Robinson Houston 72 72 144 E

6 Grant Sturgeon Louisville 75 70 145 +1

Brad McIntosh Houston 72 73 145 +1

8 Wade Ormsby Houston 74 72 146 +2

Payton Osborn UAB 76 70 146 +2

Daniel Ozley UAB 73 73 146 +2

11 Andy Sanders Houston 72 75 147 +3

Clint Deibert Charlotte 71 76 147 +3

13 Graeme McDowell UAB 73 75 148 +4

Tim Yelverton So. Miss. 73 75 148 +4

Drew Mayhew De Paul 78 70 148 +4

David Jeans Memphis 77 71 148 +4

Matt Hilton Marquette 74 74 148 +4

18 Craig Gordon UAB 74 75 149 +5

Matt Wofford So. Miss. 74 75 149 +5

20 Mark Wentz Marquette 76 74 150 +6

Craig Smith Cincinnati 71 79 150 +6

Chris Speight So. Miss. 74 76 150 +6