PHOENIX, Ariz. --- Sophomores Josh Mathis and Conner Penfold paced the Biola men's golf team in its season-opening tournament on Monday and Tuesday at the Papago Golf Course in Phoenix.

Mathis finished tied for third overall with a two-day total of 146, two shots over par. He fired a first-round 75 but came back with a second round 71. Penfold finished tied for 15th with a 151, carding a 75 and a 76.

Biola sent two teams to the 10-team tournament. The "A" team finished sixth with a team score of 610 while the "B" team took eighth overall with a 648.

The "A" team dropped 20 strokes after the first day with all five golfers finishing below 76. The first day was played in 107 degree heat in the desert and the scores reflected the tough round all golfers faced. But a bit of cooling lowered the scores on the second day as the team finished with a 295, the second-lowest round of the second day.

Biola returns to action on September 27 for the one-day University of La Verne Invitational at the Sierra La Verne Country Club in La Verne.