RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Alec Spencer and Aaron DiGiamarino both shot under par and the No. 24 La Verne men's golf team opened up a huge lead after the first round of SCIAC No. 2 at Oak Quarry Golf Club.

La Verne shot an incredible 288 as a team, 15 strokes better than second place Redlands. The Leopards also erased an 8-stroke overall SCIAC championship deficit and now it in first place after three of seven SCIAC rounds. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, who had the lead, shot 317 as a team.

Spencer and DiGiamarino were the only players to shoot under par on the day, carding a 3-under 69 and a 2-under 70, respectively.

Austin Matzaganian and Jason Brown also posted solid scores to add to the lead. Matzaganian posted a 2-over 74 and Brown was right behind with a 3-over 75. Matzaganian is tied for fifth overall and Brown sits in eighth place.

Conner Davis and Josh Davis shot 81 and 83, respectively, to round out La Verne's lineup.

The Leopards return to action tomorrow for the second round.