HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. - Cleveland State used a strong finish on the back nine to card a first round 293 and take the lead after the opening round of the Horizon League Championship on Friday at the par-72, 6,814-yard Mission Inn Resort.

The Vikings hold a one shot lead over Oakland who shot 294, while Wright State is in third place after a 305. Valparaiso is in fourth (306) and is followed by Youngstown State (310), Green Bay (314) and Detroit (317).

CSU's four counting scores combined to shoot seven-under-par on the back nine to help the Vikings overtake the Golden Grizzlies and climb to the top of the leaderboard after the first round.

Mitchell Moore shot an even-par 72 and is tied for third place after the opening round. Moore, who was four-over-par at the turn, used two birdies and an eagle on the inward nine for a four-under-par 33 on the back nine.

Paul Minko and Michael Balcar both shot one-over-par 73 and are tied for fifth place. Like Moore, Minko used a strong inward nine, making four birdies, including back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, to shot a two-under-par 35 on the back nine.

After a double bogey on the 11th hole, Balcar used consecutive birdies to close his round with an even-par 37 on the back nine.

Joey Krecic was CSU's fourth score to count as he shot 75. Krecic, who eagled the opening par-five of the championship, used two birdies on the back nine and shot a one-under 36 on the inward nine.

As a team, CSU led the field with two eagles and 48 pars, while ranking second with 15 birdies.

The second round of the championship will be played on Saturday (April 25) beginning at 7:30 am. Livestats will be available on Golfstat.

CSU RESULTS
T-3. Mitchell Moore, 72
T-5. Paul Minko, 73
T-5. Michael Balcar, 73
T-10. Joey Krecic, 75
T-31. Pat Luth, 84