MONROE, La. – Day one of the ULM Invitational is in the books and UT Arlington women's golf worked its way into a ninth-place finish. The Mavericks carded rounds of 299 and 303 for a 26-over-par 602.

Nitisha Manikandesh paced UTA, finishing with a 1-over 145 and is sitting alone in 12th place. The senior fired off a stellar 1-under 71 in the first round. Manikandesh made par on 15 holes and birdied another pair. The Plano-native was in a tie for fourth after the opening 18 holes.

In a tie for 26th — the second best finish among Mavericks players — was Tarini Bhoga. The sophomore was steady, shooting 3-over 75's in both rounds. Bhoga also birdied three holes in each round.

UTA's last three players all finished within three strokes of each other. Nirjara Gulhane finished with a 12-over 156, putting the junior in a tie for 56th. 

Chandler Browning finished two strokes behind Gulhane and in a tie for 63rd. Both Browning and Gulhane posted 5-over 77's in the second round.

Rounding out the Maverick lineup is Kamri Gabel. The senior opened with a strong 2-over 74 that included four birdies, the most for any Maverick in either round. Gabel enters the final round in a tie for 67th with a 15-over 159.

The third and final round tees off at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bayou DeSiard CC in Monroe, Louisiana. FOLLOW ALONG
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