BIRMINGHAM, AL (Oct. 16) - After opening Monday's morning round in third place and just seven shots off the lead at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Alabama, the University of Houston golf team dropped back into a tie for seventh place and a full 22 shots out of first place at the conclusion of the second round later in the afternoon.

The Cougars will try and make the ground back-up in the tournament's final round at the 6,958-yard, par 71, Old Overton Golf Course on Tuesday (Oct. 17).

Houston played well in the early going, posting an even-par round of 284 to stay just seven shots behind Georgia (277). In the afternoon UH shot a little higher (291, +7), but nine of the other schools in the 12-team field shot 287 or better to make a move.

Junior Wade Ormsby followed-up a season-best three-under 68 in the morning round with a one-over 72 in round two. Ormsby is in a tie for 13th place in the individual standings and 11 shots off the lead of Georgia Tech's Bryce Molder (129, -13). UH senior All-America candidate Andy Sanders and freshman Brad McIntosh are tied for 25th with identical two-over 144s.

The tournament's final 18 holes will be played on Tuesday.

FIRST DAY TEAM RESULTS (Two Rounds)
2000 Jerry Pate National; Old Overton G.C.; Birmingham, AL

PL Team                     Scores
 1 Georgia Tech             282-271--553     -15
 2 Georgia                  277-278--555     -13
 3 Clemson                  287-270--557     -11
 4 UAB                      286-280--566     - 2
   Oklahoma State           285-281--566     - 2
 6 USC                      285-287--572     + 4
 7 BYU                      288-287--575     + 7
   Houston                  284-291--575     + 7
 9 Alabama                  293-286--579     +11
10 Auburn                   299-283--582     +14
11 Arizona                  293-290--583     +15
12 UNLV                     289-295--584     +16

Individual Leaders & Houston Scores
  PL Players                      Scores
   1 Bryce Molder, GA Tech        67-62--129   -13
   2 Hunter Mahan, USC            71-63--134   - 8
t 13 Wade Ormsby, UH              68-72--140   - 2
t 25 Andy Sanders, UH             73-71--144   + 2
t 25 Brad McIntosh, UH            71-73--144   + 2
t 48 Brett Callas, UH             72-79--151   + 9
t 53 Kevin Hermis, UH             77-75--152   +10