JONESBORO, Ark. (October 11, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago men's golf team fired its top team round of the fall as part of a terrific opening day performance that has the Ramblers sitting in second place at the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate in Jonesboro, Ark.
 
After opening play at the RidgePointe Country Club (par 72, 6,676 yards) with a first-round 305, the Maroon & Gold turned in a scintillating one-under-par 287 during second-round play to finish with a 592 (305-287) that has Loyola four shots in front of a quartet of teams tied for third place at 594.  Loyola's second-round effort was the top 18-hole team total of the day.
 
Event host Arkansas State (292-289=581) is atop the team leaderboard, while the Red Wolves' Jack Madden leads the race for individual medalist honors after compiling a two-under-par 142 (76-66).
 
Loyola was led on the day by the junior pairing of Dylan Ellis and Timmy Crawford.  Ellis is three shots off the pace being set by Madden after handing in a one-over-par 145 (75-70) that was highlighted by a two-under-par 70 in his second round.  The Parkersburg, Iowa native is part of a three-way tie for fourth.  Crawford was just as impressive, continuing his stellar play of late by posting a two-over-par 146 (74-72) that has the Arlington Heights, Ill. product tied for seventh, just a shot back of Ellis.
 
Junior Zach Walsh shaved nine strokes off his first-round total during the afternoon, birdying seven holes en route to an 18-hole career-low two-under-par 70 as he matched Ellis for Loyola's low individual round.  Walsh sits tied for 22^nd with a five-over-par 149 (79-70).
 
Graduate student Devin Johnson resides tied for 41^st at 152 (77-75), while redshirt senior Tyler Anderson shot a 156 (81-75) to move into a tie for 60^th.
 
The final round of the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate is slated to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.