Senior Ryan Fricker led the entire field through two rounds from the fourth position, and senior Trey Valentine tied for a top-six placing from the fifth spot as USF shot 282 (-6) and 275 (-13) at the 7,025-yard, par-72 Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course on the opening day of play to build a 16-stroke lead over second-place UCF heading into the final round Monday.
Fricker shot out of the gate for USF early, recording birdies on the first two holes of the day, and carding an eagle on the seventh hole to sit at six strokes under par at the turn.