March 23, 2002

FURMAN LADY PALADINS IN FOURTH AT LIZ MURPHEY;
JOHNSTON SCORES HOLE IN ONE

ATHENS, Georgia -- Furman's Lady Paladin golf team fired a second consecutive 301 Saturday at the Liz Murphey Invitational in Athens, Ga., but slipped from a tie for second into fourth thanks to outstanding rounds by Florida and Auburn.

Furman was paced on the day by senior Jennifer Perri (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who is competing in her second competitive event since having wrist surgery in the fall. Perri followed up a first round 75 with an even par 72 on Saturday and is in sixth place, six strokes off the lead held by Mississippi State's Anna Gertsson. Junior Brandi Jackson (Belton, S.C.) took four strokes off her first round total in firing a 74 on Saturday and is 25th with a 152 tally.

In addition, Sarah Johnston (St. Charles, Ill.) shot a second consecutive 75, but was one under after a hole-in-one on number 13 and a birdie on 14. Unfortunately bogeys on 15 and 17 and a double bogey on 18 ended her round at three over. Leigh Turner (Alpharetta, Ga.), who set the Furman standard on Friday with a 73, carded a 10-over 82 and was the Furman non-counter for the second round. Turner is 34th with a 155 total. Meanwhile, Cimmie Shahan (Spring Grove, Pa.) carded an 80 and is 71st individually with a 164 score.

The team leaderboard is led by Florida, who fired even par as a team in the second round and holds a one-stroke lead over Auburn, who topped the Gator effort by one, with a second-round 287. The hosting Bulldogs of Georgia are third at 596, while Furman sits six strokes back in fourth.

The third and final round of the Liz Murphey Intercollegiate is slated for Sunday at the University of Georgia Golf Club.

Furman Results
6th Jennifer Perri 75-72=147
13th Sarah Johnston 75-75=150
25th Brandi Jackson 78-74=152
34th Leigh Turner 73-82=155
71st Cimmie Shahan 84-80=164
4th Team 301-301=602