JONESBORO, Ark. -- Missouri State fired a field-best 289 for Monday's second round to move up to seventh place after 36 holes of the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate at RidgePoint Country Club.

With 18 holes left to play, the Bears are just seven strokes out of the top four with first-day rounds of 308-289--597. Host and No. 28-ranked Arkansas State leads the field with scores of 287-291--578, followed by Louisiana Monroe (585), Eastern Kentucky (587), Southeastern Louisiana (590), Jacksonville State (591) and SIU Edwardsville (594) just ahead of MSU. The 11-team field also includes UT Martin (600), Omaha (605), Evansville (615) and Eastern Illinois (634).

Individually, the Bears were led by Kory Franks whose 74-72--146 puts him in a tie for 12th place among the field of 67 players. Franks carded five birdies on the day to lead Missouri State.

After a slow start on the first 18 holes, Brad Carpenter rebounded in round two to fire a two-under 70 in round two. His 36-hole total of 149 puts him in a tie for 21st place.

Southeastern Louisiana's Kris Kerr (70-70--140) leads the field by two strokes.