Illinois State trails pre-championship favorite Wichita State by just one stroke after two rounds of action at the 2001 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship being held at the Tournament Player's Club at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. ISU, which is hosting the event, shot 596 to trail the Shockers' 595.
Brian Anderson leads the Redbirds at three back (146), after firing a 72 in the second round.
Wichita State led the Redbirds by two shots after round one with a low round of 295. The Shockers were led by sophomore Julien Trudeau and senior Juan Tabares who both shot 71 in first round play.
Tabares shot a 72 in the second round and is leading the way with a one over par, 143 after 36 holes.
"Anderson obviously played a tremendous two rounds of golf to lead us today," Illinois State Harland Kilborn said. "We have put ourselves in a good position, only being behind one shot after 36 holes, and hopefully we will be able to make a run tomorrow."
Northern Iowa sits in third place (606), eight shots back, posting rounds of 303 and 300. Drake and Evansville are in fourth and fifth, respectively within striking distance of the leaders at 606 and 610.
Southwest Missouri State also turned in an impressive second round after opening with a first round high of 320. The Bears came back to shoot a second-round best 297 and currently rank sixth at 617. At 619 Southern Illinois is in seventh, followed by Creighton (645) and Bradley (646).
"The golf course put up a very good test for the players and I think the teams are excited to be playing at such a facility as this," Kilborn said. "Tomorrow is going to be another difficult but exciting 18 holes. Hopefully we can continue to play like we did today."
Play continues on Tuesday with final round action teeing off at 8 a.m.
