SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Led by a career best 64 from Casey Leebrick, the Sacramento State men's golf team holds a 1-stroke lead after the first day of the Big Sky Conference Championship on Monday at Talking Stick Golf Club.

The Hornets totaled 283 and are followed by Northern Colorado (284), Idaho (288) and Weber State (290) who are all within striking distance.

Leebrick bettered his previous career low by two strokes with the help of eight birdies during Monday's round. The senior started with a bogey on the first hole but then rallied with birdies on the par-4 third, fourth and fifth holes. He made the turn at 3-under following a birdie on the par-4 ninth. His back nine also began with a bogey but was followed by birdies on the par-4 12th, 14th, and 15th and the par-5 17th. His 64 is the lowest round by a Hornet golfer this season and ties him for the fifth lowest in school history. His score is also the second best by a Sacramento State golfer at the Big Sky Championship.

Leebrick was one of only two golfers during the day to finish under par. He leads Northern Colorado's TJ Shehee by three strokes on the individual leaderboard and has a six-stroke edge over three others.

Gabe Smith ranked second on the team and is tied for sixth overall with a 1-over par round of 71. Smith had a slow start to his day with a double bogey on the par-5 second and a bogey on the par-4 ninth to stand at 3-over at the midway point of his round. He played the back side of the course at 2-under with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 16 and 17 and bogeys on Nos. 15 and 18.

Zach Mate is tied for11th after recording a round of 73. Mate had three bogeys and six pars on front nine and rose to 4-over following a bogey on the par-4 13th. However, he birdied the par-4 15th to get back to 3-over for the day where he remained with three straight pars.

Riley Bell accounted for the final score towards the team total with a 75. Bell had three birdies, three bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey during his round.

Sacramento State will be paired with Northern Colorado and Idaho in the second round. The five groups will go off the first tee beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 7:40 a.m.

BIG SKY CHAMPIONSHIP
Scottsdale, Ariz. | Talking Stick Golf Club
Par 70 | 7,059 Yards

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Sacramento State 283
2. Northern Colorado 284
3. Idaho 288
4. Weber State 290
5. Binghamton 296
6. Hartford 307

INDIVIDUAL TOP FIVE
1. Casey Leebrick, SAC, 64
2. TJ Shehee, UNC, 67
T3. Jack Castiglia, UNC, 70
T3. Brandon Conner, BING, 70
T3. Matt McGann, UI, 70

SACRAMENTO STATE SCORES
1. Casey Leebrick 64
T6. Gabriel Smith 71
T11. Zach Mate 73
T17. Riley Bell 75
29. Jeffrey Perry 81