LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If anyone in Bellarmine University athletics knows how to put on a show, it's Ned Shuck's wrestling team. Locked in a 17-17 battle with The Citadel, the dual came down to the heavyweights and Daulton Mayer did not disappoint, pinning his opponent to secure the 23-17 win for the Knights on Friday night in Knights Hall.

"We always know it's going to be a battle with this team," Shuck said. "Coach LeBlanc and his staff do a great job." 
 
With the win, Bellarmine improves to 3-3 overall this season and 2-2 in Southern Conference action. With the loss, The Citadel moves to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the SoCon.

"I'm really excited about a couple of our performances. We had a couple that didn't go the way we thought they would, but proud of our guys having each others backs and making it a full team effort tonight," Shuck added on his team's performance. 
 
Starting at 125, Jack Parker continued streak of putting the Knights on the board first, winning his third straight match with a 20-10 major decision over Gylon Sims. The win started a chain reaction for Bellarmine as Trayce Eckman (133) and AJ Rallo (141) both followed with decision wins, pushing the lead to 10-0.
 
From there, The Citadel settled in and brought the momentum to its side, winning each of the 149, 157 and 165-pound classes to jump ahead 14-10.
 
At 174, Grant O'Dell got things going back in the right direction, earning a 9-3 decision over Ben Haubert to get within one, now down 13-14. Devan Hendricks kept the ball rolling at 184, showing off his strength in a 12-3 major decision win over Micah DiCarlo to retake the lead for the Knights at 17-14.
 
With two matches to go, the Wildcats answered in the 197-pound weight class as No. 28 ranked Patrick Brophy topped Andrew Liber in a 15-8 decision to even the score at 17-17.
 
Down to the heavyweights in a do or die situation, Bellarmine confidently sent Daulton Mayer out to the mat with the win on the line. Mayer did what he's been known for this season, pinning Adam Ortega in 1:15 to put the Knights on top and secure a 23-17 victory.
The pin, Mayer's 12^th of the season, moves him into a tie for second most wins by pin in the NCAA this season (Brian Soldano, Rutgers).

"Can't Wait for our last home dual of the season against Davidson on Sunday," said Shuck on the team's upcoming dual. "I hope our fans come out loud and rowdy to send off our seniors!"
 
Up next, Bellarmine will host its final dual of the season in Knights Hall as the Knights welcome Davidson for Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.
 
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Bellarmine (23) vs. The Citadel (17)
125: Jack Parker (BELL) def. Gylon Sims (CIT) by MD, 20-10
133: Trayce Eckman (BELL) def. George Rosas (CIT) by Dec, 4-2
141: #25 AJ Rallo (BELL) def. Thomas Termini (CIT) by Dec, 4-1
149: Carson DesRosier (CIT) def. Zac Cowan (BELL) by Fall, 1:18
157: Tyler Badgett (CIT) def. Jeb Prechtel (BELL) by MD, 9-1
165: Thomas Snipes (CIT) def. Cole Nance (BELL) by MD, 11-2
174: Grant O'Dell (BELL) def. Ben Haubert (CIT) by Dec, 9-3
184: Devan Hendricks (BELL) def. Micah DiCarlo (CIT) by MD, 12-3
197: #28 Patrick Brophy (CIT) def. Andrew Liber (BELL) by Dec, 15-8
285: Daulton Mayer (BELL) def. Adam Ortega (CIT) by Fall, 1:15