ATHENS, Georgia - UNCW managed to stay in contention despite a tough day to score and enters the final round of the Athens Regional of the NCAA Championship in sixth place, just two strokes behind 16th-ranked New Mexico for the final spot to advance to the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles.

Fourth-ranked Alabama (-8) was one of just two teams to finish the round par or better to stay in the lead and carry an 11-stroke lead into the final round. East Carolina also finished under par (-3) and is in second place.

The Seahawks, who carded a two-under-282 in the opening round, finished the second round 11-over. UNCW is two strokes behind New Mexico, but holds a one-stroke lead over Houston, Long Beach State and Wake Forest.

Payne McLeod (70-73=143) led the Seahawks for the second consecutive round and is tied for 20th on the leaderboard.

Posting counting scores for UNCW on the round were Thomas Bass (71-74=145), Patrick Sawrey (71-74=145) and Stefan Brewer (80-74=154). Bass and Sawrey are tied for 30th while Ryan Nagy (70-76=143) and Brewer are tied for 44th and 68th, respectively.

Team Leaders

Alabama (269-276=545); East Carolina (276-281=557); North Florida (271-291=562); Georgia (280-288=568); New Mexico (285-290=575); UNCW (282-295=577); Houston (282-296=578); Long Beach State (297-281=578); Wake Forest (284-294=578); Augusta State (283-296=579); Iowa (288-293=581); UT Arlington (285-302=587); Loyola (301-300=601)

Individual leaders

Bobby Wyatt, Alabama (66-67=133); Justin Thomas, Alabama (67-67=134); Ryan Eibner, ECU (67-68=135); Kevin Aylwin, North Florida (65-71=136); Cory Whitsett, Alabama (68-69=137); T.J. Mitchell, Georgia (68-70=138); Philip Chian, Long Beach State (71-68=139); Joe David, Mississippi (72-68=140); MJ Maguire, North Florida (66-74=140); Harold Varner, East Carolina (67-73=140).