GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – The No. 8-ranked Fighting Illini carded the lowest team score of Round 2 - an 11-under 277 - to surge past first-round leader, No. 14 Florida State, and build an 11-stroke lead heading into Wednesday's final round of the inaugural Folds of Honor Collegiate at American Dunes Golf Club.

The Orange and Blue were led by solid play from their upperclassmen, as fifth-year seniors Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Tommy Kuhl, and junior Piercen Hunt all recorded rounds of 3-under 69 to lead the Illini to a 15-shot improvement over Monday's opener. 

Hunt started strong with two birdies and an eagle (on the par-five 2nd) in his first three holes, setting the tone for the Illini's rise up the board. Kuhl recorded four birdies including a bogey-free 3-under on the front nine, and Dumont de Chassart fired birdies on five of his final eight holes, including the 18th, after openin0g 2-over through his first six.

Dumont de Chassart is 4-under and sits alone in third place, two shots behind co-leaders Brett Roberts (Florida State) and Jonathan Yaun (Liberty) at 6-under. Kuhl is one stroke off Dumont de Chassart's pace in a tie for fourth, while Hunt is tied for 11th - alongside sophomore Jackson Buchanan - at even-par, rounding out the scoring for the Illini who are the only team in the field to feature four competitors inside the top 20 with 18 holes to play.

"Piercen came out and got on it early, Tommy and Jackson were steady all day, and Adrien fought back from a tough start and had a great back nine," head coach Mike Small said. "It feels good to close out a round like that, and really push through to the end. This puts us in a good spot for tomorrow."

Matthis Besard was also in action for the Illini, posting a 76 for the second consecutive round to move into a tie for 40th in the 90-player field. 

Tee times for Wednesday's final round begin at 8:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. CT. The Illini, paired with the Seminoles and Flames, will start on No. 1. Live scoring is available throughout the tournament at Golfstat.com. 

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