Rebels rolling in regionals

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 10:02 a.m.

ALBUQUERQUE -- The UNLV men's golf team was unable to lead a tournament for its sixth straight round on Thursday, but remains well within the hunt after the first round of the NCAA West Regional at UNM's Championship Course.

UNLV had led five consecutive rounds of play over its last two tournaments but saw that streak snapped as Thursday's two-over 290 left the team five strokes behind Texas.

The Rebels sit in a three-way tie for third on the team leaderboard, one stroke behind San Diego State and tied with Fresno State and Minnesota.

Powering the strong team round was sophomore Brandon Askew, who was just one stroke shy of the day's best round.

Askew was one of just four players to break 70 and sits in a three-way tie for second behind Texas' Jason Hartwick.

Freshman Ryan Moore rounded out the group of 17 to break par on Thursday. His 1-under 71 leaves him well within contention of the 54-hole event, four strokes behind Hartwick.

Rounding out the Rebels' scorecard were senior Clark Corbett and junior Brien Davis. They are tied with a number of players in the middle of the pack at 3-over after matching 75s.

J.C. Deacon's 78 did not count toward the team total.

The top 10 teams at the regional will advance to the NCAA finals.