BOULDER CITY, Nev. – No. 12 North Georgia positioned itself in the early mix at the Las Vegas Desert Classic on Sunday, carding a team score of 293 (+5) to finish round one tied for fifth place alongside No. 33 Missouri–St. Louis.

The Nighthawks leaned on a balanced lineup that featured two under-par rounds to open the tournament, keeping North Georgia within striking distance of the leaderboard entering day two.

Hunter Smith paced UNG with a strong opening-round 70 (-2), delivering the team's lowest score of the day and setting the tone early. Colby Bennett followed closely behind, firing a 71 (-1) to give the Nighthawks another under-par performance.

Grant Langford added a steady 74 (+2), helping stabilize the team score as North Georgia navigated the opening round at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Connor Horton turned in a 78 (+6) in the counting lineup, while Kai Marko posted a 79 (+7).

Fourth-ranked Florida Southern leads the 20-team field at one-over par. No. 19 Colorado Mesa, No. 34 Lincoln Memorial and CSU Monterey Bay round out the top five. Fifteen on the 20 teams are ranked in the top-50 of the Clippd national rankings. 

North Georgia will return to the course Monday for round two, with the final round of the Las Vegas Desert Classic scheduled for Tuesday.