NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) - Saturday was moving day as the Knights climbed the leaderboard to fourth place in the Mason Rudolph Championship. Alabama has all but run away with the tournament, leaving the field to battle for runner up.
Alabama opened up an 18-shot team lead at -14. Northwestern is second at +4 and SMU is third at +5. Fourth place UCF remains in striking distance of second at +8 while Chattanooga and Auburn are tied for fifth at +11.
After a slow start and a rain delay, UCF came back strong, led by junior Kaeli Jones and freshman Maria Balcazar. Jones caught fire down the stretch carding four birdies and three pars in her final seven holes, turning in an even-par round on the day.
Balcazar dropped to a tie for sixth among individuals after she fired a second round 71 (-1). After bogies on her first two holes, she took par or better the rest of the round, including three birdies.
Senior Ayaka Nakayama and Johanna Larsson turned in matching rounds of 75 (+3) while Ashley Holder turned in a 76 (+4).
Final round action is slated for 8 a.m. Sunday with the Knights on the tee at 8:50 a.m. Click here to follow the Knights via live scoring.