March 16, 2001

PERRI IN LEAD AT LADY GAMECOCK;

FURMAN TEAM IN NINTH

BLYTHEWOOD, South Carolina -- Despite a bogey on the first hole of play, Furman junior Jennifer Perri is tied with three others in the lead of the Lady Gamecock Invitational after Friday's first round.

Perri, the 28th-ranked player in the nation according to the Mastercard Collegiate Poll, carded 35-37 for an even-par 72 at the 5,996-yard University Club in Blythewood, S.C. Perri is tied atop the leaderboard with LSU's Meredith Duncan, Mississippi State's Lina Thoren, and Georgia's Angela Jerman.

As a team, the 36th-ranked Lady Paladins totaled a 316 on the day and are in ninth place in the 11 team field. The University of Georgia paced the field with a 295, and hold a three stroke lead over top-ranked Duke, who is second at 299.

Sophomore Brandi Jackson recorded Furman's second best score on the day, shooting a seven-over 79 to stand in 28th place individually, while Tara Schultz carded an 82 and is 42nd overall. Leigh Turner's 83 rounded out the Furman scorers, while sophomore Cimmie Shahan fired an 84 and is in 49th.

Round two of the Lady Gamecock is slated for Saturday, with the third and final round scheduled for Sunday.

Furman Results

9th Furman 316

1st Jennifer Perri 72

28th Brandi Jackson 79

42nd Tara Schultz 82

45th Leigh Turner 83

49th Cimmie Shahan 84