SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Ben Epperly of Kirkwood successfully battled 25  mph winds at the Blue Boy Invitational Friday and sits in first place  heading into the final round on Saturday.

Epperly shot an even-par 72 at The Rail Golf Course for a one-shot  lead after 18 holes.

Kirkwood holds a four-shot edge on Nebraska Wesleyan, 304 to 308,  heading into the final round in the 11-team field.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Kirkwood 304, 2. Nebraska Wesleyan 308, 3. (tie) Knox 312, Dubuque  312, 5. Illinois Central 316, 6. Wheaton 318, 7. (tie)  Lindenwood-Belleville 328, Monmouth 328, 9. Wartburg 341, 10. Illinois  College 349, 11. Lewis & Clark 358.

KIRKWOOD: Ben Epperly 72, Dawson Peters 76, George Kalpakas 77, James  Morgan 78, Ryan Morrison 78, Will Babcock 79, Sam Lockhart 82.