NEWBERRY, SC — The Bellarmine University wrestling team compiled a 3-1 record Sunday at the Newberry Duals.

While Bellarmine (3-1) lost its opening match at the meet, it was actually an encouraging sign, as the Knights were edged 25-22 by the 12th-ranked host in Newberry. Bellarmine followed with three straight commanding wins, first defeating Emmanuel (Ga.) 25-12 before a 28-16 triumph over Coker and a 37-17 romp over Queens Charlotte.

Sophomore Andrew Sams (174 and 184) led Bellarmine by going 4-0 over the four duals, dominating with a fall, tech fall and two major decisions. Junior Gage Branson (149) and sophomore Alex Rhine (141) earned three wins apiece while freshman Casey Ragle (133), sophomore Eric Beck (157), junior Andy Dobben (184 and 174) and sophomore Brett Bryant (197 and 184) notched two victories apiece. Freshmen Brandon Lucas (125), Gavin Grime (165) and Charlie Cadell (197) secured one win each.

In its first dual, Bellarmine nearly pulled off the upset of No. 12 Newberry, building a 22-19 lead heading into the final match before the Wolves clinched the win with a fall. Ragle and Branson won by decision, Sams posted a major decision and Grime and Bryant registered falls for the Knights.

Bellarmine built a 14-0 lead on Emmanuel before the Lions rallied by winning three straight decisions. Dobben halted the rally by taking a tight 6-5 decision at 174, and Sams and Cadell followed with a tech fall and 4-2 decision to give the Knights their second three-match win streak of the contest. Lucas, Ragle and Rhine — via tech fall, fall and decision — pushed Bellarmine to its sizable advantage at the outset.

The Knights found themselves rallying against Coker after trailing 7-0 and 13-11. Dobben gave Bellarmine the lead for good with a fall at 174, Sams padded the advantage with another pin and Bryant locked up the victory with a tech fall. The Knights had gained their first lead in the seesaw dual at 8-7 on consecutive major decisions by Rhine and Branson, and Beck tacked on three more points by winning a 2-1 decision.

Bellarmine coasted in its final dual of the day against Queens, which forfeited three matches. Branson and Beck delivered falls, Sams collected a major decision and Rhine won a 12-8 decision as the Knights won three of the four duals after going 1-3 last season at the same meet.

Full results for the meet can be found on trackwrestling,com.

Bellarmine will host Lindsey Wilson in a dual at 6 p.m. (ET) Thursday in Knights Hall.

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