FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ben Carr and Steven Fisk each shot 76 to lead the Georgia Southern men's golf team in the first round of the NCAA Championship Finals Friday at The Blessings Golf Club.

The Eagles' team score of 308 was lower than 10 teams ranked in the top-35 nationally by Golfstat, and GS is tied for 19th, three shots out of the top-15. The top-15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams after three rounds advance to a fourth round of stroke play Monday. The individual champion will be crowned following Monday's final stroke-play round, and the top-8 teams advance to match play Tuesday.

The Blessings bared its teeth today as the average score on the par-72, 7,550-yard course was 76.98, and only 20 individuals shot par or better. The Eagles began the day on the 10th hole, which was the tougher side as six of the hardest 11 holes today were on the back nine.

Carr birdied four of his final six holes of the day to shoot a 1-under 35 on the front nine. Three Eagles - Fisk, Brett Barron and Jake Maples – all shot 1-over on the front nine. Barron posted two birdies and five pars on the front nine, and Fisk made birdie at the 5th hole and rolled in six pars. Maples made birdie at 1 and 6, while Colin Bowles' birdie at 8 helped the freshman finish 3-over on the front. 

Scores
Ben Carr – 76 (+4), T53
Steven Fisk - 76 (+4), T53
Brett Barron – 77 (+5), T69
Jake Maples – 79 (+7), T106
Colin Bowles – 81 (+9), T130
Team - 308 (+20), T19

Up Next
The Eagles are paired with SMU and Ohio State again tomorrow but tee off in the afternoon wave. GS starts on the 1st hole at 3 p.m. ET.