SPORTS

 

CHARLESTON, S.C. – After a shutout showing against Southern Conference power Campbell to open their day, Davidson showed its resiliency with a come-from-behind win over The Citadel Saturday evening, earning a tie-breaking 22-21 victory over the host Bulldogs at the McAlister Fieldhouse.

With the split, Davidson moves to 2-4 in duals this season. The match against The Citadel was determined by “Criteria C” in the National Wrestling Media Association rulebook, “total match points scored only from decision, major decisions and technical falls.”

Starting the night cap against The Citadel at 174-pounds, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 6-0 lead behind a pair of decision victories before Wildcat junior Finlay Holston picked up his third win of the season in a 9-5 decision.

A fall and forfeit, that benefitted The Citadel, extended their lead to 18-3. Junior Kyle Gorant began the ‘Cats comeback with an injury default at 133 pounds.

Davidson needed another spark to keep the hope alive and freshman Gavin Damasco did his part to fan the flames with a pin over Tyler Seely.

Trailing 21-15 entering the final two bouts, head coach Andy Lausier looked on as a pair of freshmen, Bryce Sanderlin (157) and Anthony Spera (165), sealed the win for his squad with a pair of gritty decision victories.

“I’m just super proud of our team’s effort,” said Lausier. “We are learning how to find ways to win, even when things aren’t going as planned. The Citadel is a really, really tough team, so I think a win should provide a valuable confidence booster for our guys.”

Despite the outcomes on the scoresheets, sophomore David Loniewski (149) impressed the ESPN+ announcers, and Wildcat fans, with a pair of gutsy performances. The South Plainfield, N.J., product gave reigning SoCon Champion Josh Heil all he could handle and fell to 2020 NCAA qualifier Selwyn Porter in extra time.

Davidson returns to the mat for the final regular season outing of the season Saturday, Feb. 6 against Gardner-Webb and the hosts of Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C.

Campbell 42, Davidson 0
174: Austin Murphy (CU) maj. dec. over Jaden Hardrick (DC), 14-4
184: Caleb Hopkins  (CU) fall over Gavin Henry (DC), 4:15
197: Levi Hopkins (CU) dec. over Finlay Holston (DC), 9-6
285: Taye Ghadiali (CU) dec. over Mitchell Trigg (DC), 4-3
125: Zurich Storm (CU) winner by forfeit
133: Gabe Hixenbaugh (CU) dec. over Kyle Gorant (DC), 5-2
141: Justin Rivera (CU) dec. over Gavin Damasco (DC), 4-2, SV-1
149: #13 Josh Heil (CU) dec. over David Loniewski (DC), 10-6
157: Ben Barton (CU) tech. fall over Bryce Sanderlin (DC), 21-6, 6:30
165: Bilal Bailey (CU) fall over Anthony Spera (DC), 0:30

Extra Matches:
174: Mike Ferree (CU) fall over Lachlan Rosato (DC), 2:42
133: Chris Rivera (CU) maj. dec. over Noah Burstein (DC), 12-3
149: #13 Josh Heil (CU) dec. over Garrett Stewart (DC), 7-2

Davidson 22, The Citadel 21
174: Cole Burke (CIT) dec. over Jaden Hardrick (DC), 3-1
184: Kyle Kretzer (CIT) dec. over Gavin Henry (DC), 4-2
197: Finlay Holston (DC) dec. over Ben Stemmet (CIT), 9-5
285: Michael McAleavey (CIT) fall over Mitchell Trigg (DC), 2:29
125: Jordie White (CIT) winner by forfeit
133: Kyle Gorant (DC) inj. default over Jake Rotunda (CIT), 3:08
141: Gavin Damasco (DC) fall over Tyler Seely (CIT), 2:05
149: Selwyn Porter (CIT) dec. over David Loniewski (DC), 9-7, SV-1
157: Bryce Sanderlin (DC) dec. over Grant Speer (CIT), 7-4
165: Anthony Spera (DC) dec. over Ethan Willis (CIT), 9-6

Extra Matches:
149: Garrett Stewart (DC) fall over Joe Clement (CIT) , 2:12