BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's wrestling team split a pair of duals with 20th-ranked UNC Pembroke and Allen University on Wednesday night in the Student Center Complex. The Tornado wrestled UNC Pembroke even through five matches, but the 20th-ranked Braves showed their depth in the 32-9 victory. King then bounced back with an emphatic 38-13 triumph over Allen.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #20 UNC Pembroke 32, King 9; King 38, Allen 13
LOCATION: Student Center Complex, Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-1; UNC Pembroke 4-0; Allen 0-2
HOW IT HAPPENED - #20 UNC PEMBROKE
- The Braves got off to a hot start behind a pair of ranked wrestlers at 125 and 133 pounds, opening up a 7-0 lead.
- King fought back as Christian Small earned a 9-4 win over Chaise Mayer at 141 pounds before Trent Mahoney pulled King within 7-6 with a 3-2 decision over Luke McDonough at 149 pounds.
- The Tornado took a 9-7 lead after the 157-pound bout where Dallas Boone took a 7-6 decision over Loye Burkhead.
- UNC Pembroke then won the final five matches, one by major decision, two by fall and the final by injury default to take the dual 32-9.
HOW IT HAPPENED - ALLEN
- King started the Allen match with four straight pins to open up a 24-0 lead.
- Elijah Hicks earned a 2:22 pin over Justin Kelly at 125 pins before the next two pins happened within the first minute.
- Rylee Billings, who is ranked 11th in the country pinned Nyshadd Hannon in 50 seconds at 133 pounds, and at 141 pounds, Small pinned Drevon Wallace in 56 seconds.
- At 149 pounds, Mahoney pinned Wayne Taylor in 3:09.
- Following an Allen victory, Bo Perkins took a 19-0 technical fall over Nequel Martin at 174 pounds.
- Charles Swiggett gave King another win at 197 pounds with an 11-2 major decision over Christian Poplous.
- The Yellow Jackets won the final bout, but King took the dual 38-13.
UP NEXT
- King is in action again on Sunday when they take on the University of Mount Olive at 1:00 p.m. in the Student Center Complex.
- UNC Pembroke returns to the mat on Saturday when they travel to Davis & Elkins College to take on the Senators, West Liberty University and Notre Dame College (Ohio).
- Allen travels to take on Greensboro College on Friday night.
