BELMONT, N.C. – The Lander wrestling team fought from behind throughout Thursday night's match at Belmont Abbey, but saw its comeback effort fall just short in a 25-21 loss to the Crusaders. 

After a pin put Belmont Abbey (4-3) up early, Lander (1-2) rallied with decisions from William Olivas and Elijah Gray at 133 and 141 pounds to knot the score at 6-6. Olivas earned a 4-0 decision and Gray battled to a 3-2 win. 

The Crusaders pulled back in front with a major decision, but Bryson Ethington answered with a 1-0 decision at 157 pounds, cutting the Bearcats' deficit to 10-9. Belmont Abbey opened up its largest lead of the night with back-to-back pins, pushing its advantage to 22-9 with just three matches remaining. 

Myles Starke got the momentum back for Lander with a pin at 184 pounds and Darius Parker followed suit with another fall at 197 pounds, bringing Lander back to within a point entering the night's final match. 

In a winner-take-all finale, BAC's Mike Siwiec prevailed at 285 pounds to give the Crusaders the victory. 

Lander returns to action on Jan. 9 as the Bearcats travel to Owensboro, Ky., to face Kentucky Wesleyan. 

#cLawsUp | @LanderWrestling