The Spartans, who are currently ranked 12th in the NAIA, began the dual with a win by Chris Padilla in the 133lb weight class by decision. The match, however, was far from over. After Tyrell Galloway got the best of MBU's Marty Rubalcaba by decision in the second matchup, the score was tied.
Both teams, from this point forward, rattled off two wins by forfeit a piece to even the score at 15. After the four consecutive open matchups, wrestling resumed in the 184lb class. The Spartans' Weston Keleher won in decisive fashion by fall to give Missouri Baptist a six-point lead. Keleher has been one of the most solid wrestlers in the entire NAIA this season. In fact, the Moberly, Mo., native has not lost in nearly a month.
Maryville's Matt Baker tried to start a comeback for the Saints. The junior from Prairie Village, Kan., was impressive, winning over Missouri Baptist's Lucas Keene 15-5 in a major decision.
The Spartans' Joe Kent picked-up right where he left off after the home dual against McKendree just two weeks ago. Kent extended his team's lead to 25-19 after a win by major decision against Maryville's Morgan Denson.
In the final match of the night, Missouri Baptist's Gabriel Roman, though bloodied through the majority of the third period, managed a victory by the slimmest of margins. His 8-7 win over the second-ranked wrestler in the nation at 125lb (NCAA DII), Terrell McKinney, sealed the deal for the Spartans, who are now 2-0 in the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation complex.
Missouri Baptist will now travel to Cumberland University for the NAIA East Qualifier later this month. This will be the team's final competition before March, when the team will head to Des Moines, Iowa to compete for an NAIA National Championship.
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