Lady Bulldogs Post 289, McDonald Four Shots Back Of First.
MSU's 289 ties for the second-best round in the program's history and is the second time in as many tournaments the Lady Bulldogs have posted a 1-over-par card. The two-round tally matches the 2003 squad's 595 in the Lady Pirate Fall Intercollegiate for the sixth-lowest round turned in.
With a 595 tally, MSU is fifth in the 15-team field. State is aiming for its first back-to-back Top 5 finishes since 2005.
"Wow, what a great feeling to play so well here today," MSU coach Ginger Brown-Lemm said. "We still left shots out there, but we are doing a better job than earlier in the year. We are working hard, and with a young squad, it is inspiring to see that we are coming together."
McDonald's second-round 69 is the third sub-70 round turned in during the Brown-Lemm era and second this season. She owns a fourth-place, 143 card individually and is just four shots back of the tournament leader.
The Fulton native is attempting to post back-to-back Top 5 finishes. She would become the first Lady Bulldog freshman to accomplish that feat.
"It was really a solid day all together," McDonald said. "I made some good pars and capitalized on a few birdie opportunities. I'm really proud of the team for tying our lowest round of the season. We are in great position for a good finish with another solid performance tomorrow."
Sophomore Mary Langdon Gallagher also owns Top 10 card at 147, while freshman Rica Tse carved seven strokes off her first-round clip to card a 72.
Elena Warren and Perry Katherine Furr rounded off the Lady Bulldog leaderboard with a 75 and 76, respectively.
"Ally is the second member of our '60 Dawgs' club with her 3-under today," Brown-Lemm said. "Rica got her putting back and really rolled the ball well today. Mary Langdon had a determination about her that her 73 was going to happen. Kudos to our senior Perry Katherine Furr, who came back with a 1-under on the back nine for a 76."
17th-ranked Baylor owns the tournament lead with a 1-under-par , while Jaclyn Jansen of Baylor is tops individually at 5-under-par 139.
Final-round action begins Sunday morning with an 8 a.m. shotgun.
Rebel Intercollegiate
Second Round - April 7, 2012
TEAM RESULTS
1. Baylor (292+285=577,
+1); 2. Mississippi (292+289=581, +5); 3. Missouri (298+292=590, +14);4. Tulsa (302+289=591,
+15); 5. Mississippi State (306+289=595, +19); T6. Kansas State (306+297=603,
+27); T6. Maryland (308+295=603, +27); 8. Harvard (304+301=605, +29); 9.
Minnesota (306+302=608, +32); 10. Redlands Community College (307+302=609,
+33); T11. Memphis (311+304=615, +39); T11. Southern Mississippi (303+312=615,
+39); T13. Rollins College (317+307=624, +48); T13. Murray State (312+312=624,
+48); 15. Miami (318+310=628, +52).
MSU INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
4. Ally McDonald 74+69=143, -1
T10. Mary Langdon Gallagher 74+73=147, +3
T33. Rica Tse 79+72=151, +7
T42. Elena Warren 79+75=154,
+10
T65. Perry Katherine Furr 82+76=158, +14
