PARIS, Ky. -- The quest for a second consecutive Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title got off to a strong start on Monday as Miles grabbed the lead after the first round of the SIAC Men's Golf Championship presented by Cricket.

The Golden Bears, paced by Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, have a three-shot advantage over Spring Hill after the opening round at Houston Oaks Golf Course. Giordani-Gross leads the individual race after shooting an opening-round 1-over 73. He was particularly solid on the back nine with two birdies and going 1-under to sit in first place. The freshman was one of four Mileans to finish among the top six, being joined by Jerris Baker, who went 1-under on the front nine and sits in fourth, three strokes behind Giordani-Gross. Samuel Stagno and George Aguilera each carded 6-over 78s, which is tied for sixth.

Aguilera is competing as an individual, so his score does not count towards the team tally. Malachi Greene did well on the par-5s but did not put together his best round. Still, his 9-over 81 has him sitting in 11th place. The top four scores among the five-team squad playing for the championship are counted in accumulating the team scores. Derrius Gillis (83, t-18) and Jesse Williams (89, t-27) rounded out the Miles contingent.

The Golden Bears will play single rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, looking to hold off the Badgers (+23, 311) and Kentucky State (+27, 315), the only two teams currently within shouting distance.