At the Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, Calif., UNLV's juniors Zach Little and Mason Snyder led the way with impressive under-par performances in the second round. Little recorded a 3-under 67, while Snyder finished at 1-under 69, both maintaining their momentum by playing bogey-free on the back nine. Their efforts helped UNLV remain competitive in the tournament, currently tied for third place at 4-under. Highlight contributions from senior Brett Sawaia, who recorded two eagles, added to the team's overall success.

By the Numbers
  • Zach Little shot a 3-under 67 with four birdies and one eagle.
  • Mason Snyder posted a 1-under 69 with four birdies.
  • UNLV is tied for third at 4-under after 36 holes.
  • USC leads the tournament at 16-under, four shots ahead of Cal.
Yes, But

While Little and Snyder excelled, the team still trails USC by a significant margin. This raises questions about whether UNLV can close the gap in the final round. Additionally, the performance of senior and junior players has not contributed as significantly to the team's score.

State of Play
  • Little is in fifth place individually with a total score of -5.
  • Snyder is tied for eighth at -3, highlighting a strong showing from the upperclassmen.
  • The team's strong finish will depend on their final round against competitive schools like BYU and Chattanooga.
What's Next

The final round will see UNLV tee off at 11:40 a.m. PT. Key players will need to maintain their form to challenge for a top position as they strive to improve their standings against USC and Cal.

Bottom Line

UNLV's performance has put them in a strong position, but sustaining momentum and addressing inconsistencies in their lineup will be critical if they aim to secure a podium finish. Strong play from Little and Snyder is promising, but the team must elevate their overall score to compete effectively.