JOPLIN, Mo. - Ben Epperly and the Kirkwood Eagles swung the hottest  clubs at the NJCAA Division II National Preview at the Twin Hills Golf  and Country Club Monday.

Epperly fired rounds of 70 and 71 for a 36-hole total of 141, helping  the third-round Eagles take a 13-shot lead over Mississippi Gulf Coast  heading into the final round on Tuesday.

Epperly holds a one-shot edge over Trey Fessler of Mesa Community  College in the battle for medalist honors.

All five Kirkwood golfers are in the top-12 of the individual  standings. James Morgan is fifth at 150 and Sebastian Carranza is  sixth at 151. Sterling McIlravy and Jacob Harrington-Wara are tied for  12th.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Kirkwood 593, 2. Mississippi Gulf Coast 606, 3. Mesa 617, 4. DMACC  618, 5. North Central Missouri 630, 6. Iowa Lakes 636, 7. Southeast  645, 8. Hesston 660, 9. Hawkeye 685, 10. Mineral Area 694.

KIRKWOOD - 1. Ben Epperly 70-71=141, 5. James Morgan 75-75=150, 6.  Sebastian Carranza 76-75=151, 12. Sterling McIlravy 76-78=154, 12.  Jacob Harrington-Wara 79-75=154.