PANORA, Iowa -- Sophomore Caitlin Deeken (California, Mo./California) matched a season-best with an opening round 79 to help the Bradley women's golf team finish the first day of play at the Missouri Valley Conference Preview in third place at the par-72 Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

The Braves shot a first-round 324 and will enter Tuesday's final round just one shot behind co-leaders Missouri State and Drake. Deeken finished the day in a tie for fifth place with her opening round 79 and is six shots behind the individual leader.

Senior Bari Erais (Lethbridge, Alberta/Lethbridge Collegiate Institute) joined Deeken in the top 10 following Monday's round, carding an 81 to end the day in a tie for ninth place. Sophomore Breanne Neufeld (Coaldale, Alberta/Coaldale) and freshman Kelly Amundrud (Calgary, Alberta/Strathcona Tweedsmuir) are both one shot behind Erais in a tie for 12th after shooting 82 in the first round, while freshman Keegan Ryan (Groveland, Ill./Morton) rounded out team play for the Braves with a first-round 94 and is tied for 52nd.

Freshman Erin Gorman (Rockford, Ill./Boylan) is playing as an individual and shot an 88 in her first collegiate round to finish they day tied for 34th. Senior Lauren Downing (Rockton, Ill./Hononegah) is also in the field as an individual and is tied for 55th after an opening round 95.

Missouri State and tournament-host Drake are tied for the team lead after opening rounds 323, while Bradley follows in third place at 324. Wichita State is fourth in the team standings after a first-round 327 and Northern Iowa is three shots back in fifth place at 330. Creighton shot 336 to finish day one in sixth and has a six-shot lead on Southern Illinois (342). South Dakota State is eighth overall at 346, while South Dakota rounds out the field in ninth place (367).

The Braves close out play at the Missouri Valley Conference Preview Tuesday with one round of play.