#2 Bearcats Use Four Tech Falls to Dispatch Lions, 41-3

GREENWOOD - After suffering their first home defeat since the 2022 Carolina Clash last Friday, the second-ranked Lander Wrestling team got back to winning ways Thursday night as they defeated the Emmanuel Lions 41-3 inside Horne Arena.

Lander Improves to 12-3 overall and a perfect 7-0 in Conference Carolinas play while Emmanuel dropped to 5-5 and 3-5 in conference action.

James Joplin got the match started with a 19-3 technical fall, using a two-point and four-point near fall in the second period to help him obtain the 15-point margin. Elijah Lusk and Isham Peace then followed that up with 17-1 tech falls at 133 and 141 to give Lander a 15-0 lead after three matches.

At 149, Junior Downing pinned Isaiah Castro in 3:41 to make it 21-0, Bearcats. Jack Tangen then added another five points with a 18-3 tech fall, Lander's fourth of the match.

The match of the night came at 165 where David Hunsberger almost saw his perfect season end as he got reversed into a four-point nearfall to put him down 7-4 with short time left. However, Hunsberger got a reversal of his own to bring him within one and with the riding time point secured, the bout looked like it was going to sudden victory overtime. However, Emmanuel's Christian Trimble was able to secure an escape to put him back up two with about ten seconds left but would not engage Hunsberger again causing him to get hit with his second stall call of the match, giving David one point and sending the match to sudden victory with the riding time point. Hunsberger was able to secure the takedown in the extra period to keep the shutout and his perfect season alive.

Gage Bernall followed at 174 with a 6-2 decision to make it 32-0 Lander before the Lions got on the scoreboard using a late takedown at 184 to make it 32-3.

Anthony Yacovetti made sure any momentum for Emmanuel was short lived as he earned a pin in 1:20, his 13th of the year to make it 38-3. Matthew Jimenez then wrapped the night with a 8-2 decision to give Lander 41-3 win.

The Bearcats are back in action tomorrow, February 2nd, as they travel to Harrogate, Tenn. to take on the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters. That match is scheduled for a 5:00 PM first whistle.

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Players Mentioned

Gage Bernall: Junior; 165

Junior Downing: Redshirt Freshman; 141

David Hunsberger: Sophomore; 157

Matthew Jimenez: Redshirt Freshman; 285

James Joplin: Junior; 125

Elijah Lusk: Junior; 133

Isham Peace: Redshirt Sophomore; 133

Jack Tangen: Graduate Student; 149

Anthony Yacovetti: Senior; 197

Players Mentioned

Gage Bernall
: Junior; 165

Junior Downing
: Redshirt Freshman; 141

David Hunsberger
: Sophomore; 157

Matthew Jimenez
: Redshirt Freshman; 285

James Joplin
: Junior; 125

Elijah Lusk
: Junior; 133

Isham Peace
: Redshirt Sophomore; 133

Jack Tangen
: Graduate Student; 149

Anthony Yacovetti
: Senior; 197