SEASIDE, Calif. - The UC San Diego men's golf team was back in action on Monday, competing in the Cal State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational at the Black Horse Golf Club in Seaside. The Tritons followed an opening round 315 with a 301 in round two to wrap up the day with an overall tally of 616.

Despite the improvement in the second round, UCSD currently finds itself in 14th place in the 15-team field entering Tuesday's final round.

Defending national champion Cal State Monterey shot a combined 589 on the par-72, 6,900-yard layout to take a six stroke lead through two rounds of play. The host Otters carded rounds of 297 and 292 to end the day 13-over par.

A single stroke separates the next four teams as Nova Southeastern and Washburn are tied for second place at 591 and Cal State Stanislaus and Barry University are tied for fourth at 592.

Sophomore Lewis Simon and freshman Jay Lim are leading the way for the Tritons after each finished the day at 9-over par, 153. Simon carded rounds of 79 and 74, while Lim fired a 75 and a 78. The pair is currently tied for 44th place overall.

David Smith, another sophomore, is just one stroke back at 154 after consecutive 77s, while Jacob Williams and Austin Shuxiau rounded out the scoring for UCSD at 159 with identical 84 and 75 scores. Smith holds a share of 48th place, 13 spots in front of Williams and Shuxiau.

Ben Taylor of Nova Southeastern posted rounds of 70 and 69 to take hold of the lead with an impresive score of 5-under par, 139. Taylor holds a three stroke lead over CSUMB's Alex Sobstad and Chico State's Kyle Souza, who both ended the day at 142.

The Otter Invitational will conclude on Tuesday with the final round scheduled to get underway at 8:00 a.m.