MATCH NOTES | MATCH RESULTS
 
Williamsburg, KY – Down by five on the team score line, bonus points in three straight bouts boost the Patriots over cross-divisional rival Cumberland, 25-14. Leading the charge was a ranked win by Gabe Jacobs and a tech by Harold Gilmore to secure the dual.

The Phoenix led 14-9 after a major decision at 165 pounds. Jarod Swank proved his ranking – 12th in the NAIA at 174 pounds – with a major decision win of his own to turn the tide of the dual. Swank was first to score against Cumberland's Austin Antcliffe, scoring three in the first. His time with advantage kept his ride time high, while a third period nearfall put the major out of reach, 15-4.
 
Jacobs gave the Patriots their first lead of the day with a 14-2 major over ninth-ranked John Olivieri. As an unranked grappler at 184, Jacobs has proven he can compete against top competition in the NAIA and showcased his ability on the mats with a long ride in the first period and two nearfalls in the match.
 
Gilmore sealed the Patriots victory with his win at 197 pounds. Needing only a decision, he noted three nearfalls to lead to the tech fall shutout of Elliot Grinder. In the second period as the bottom, Gilmore skipped the escape and twisted into a reversal and straight into a four-point nearfall. The tech fall put the match out of reach at 22-14 in favor of the Patriots. He is now 4-0 in duals since becoming a steady starter this season.
 
In the highlighted match-up of the night, fourth-ranked heavyweight Aaron Johnson redeemed a national tournament loss from last season against third-ranked Patrick Depiazza. Johnson was first to score in the heavyweight bout, noting a second period escape and later the first takedown. Late into the third, with the score at 3-2 in his favor, Johnson tabbed another takedown to hold off Depiazza and take back his crown.
 
Earlier in the evening, Bryce Nickel put the first team points on the board for Cumberlands in a battle with #17 Keshawn Laws. With two wins on him last season, Nickel, 15th in the NAIA at 141, kept with the trend in the 3-2 decision. He scored all three points in the final period to make the comeback against his ranked opponent.
 
The Patriots narrowed the Phoenix lead to 10-9 after a crowd-cheering fall by Weston Milnes at 157. Milnes showed clear advantage in the first period with a pair of takedowns and a four-point nearfall. His Greco-Roman skill was featured as he worked the upper body of his opponent in some turns, leading to another four count and fall at the 3:57 mark.
 
Of the four losses on the mat by the Patriots, Victor Zamora had the best showing in his dual debut at 149 pounds against the number-three wrestler in the weight class. Opposing a top-ranked wrestler, Zamora held his own through the bout although initially only scoring defensively on escapes. His drive in the final period put him on the verge of a comeback but came up short, 12-8.
 
Cumberland University came into the night ranked sixth in the NAIA, meanwhile the Patriots 11th. Jacobs had the biggest win of the night, knocking off the number-nine man at his weight class. Nickel defeated his evenly ranked opponent and Johnson took back the ranking he deserves in the top-five match-up. In addition, Cumberlands noted a great look at the upcoming MSC Tournament in the cross-divisional affair.
 
The Patriots remain undefeated on their home mats, a streak dating back to the 2016-17 season after a loss on November 19, 2016 to Indiana Tech. They have also not dropped a match against Cumberland since the 2015-16 season, taking wins in the last five duals.
 
Cumberlands will be one of two Mid-South Conference competitors at the Missouri Valley Duals Invite this Saturday in Marshall, MO. They then return home for Senior Night against Thomas More on January 28.
 
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