"It's been a long trip," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "Our guys our tired and run down, but even though a few moved up a weight class, we still found a way to pull through for the win. I think that says a lot for our team."
With the win, Missouri improves to 4-0 against the Panthers and brings its perfect record back to Columbia for a home-opening dual, Friday, Jan. 4, against Bucknell beginning at 7 p.m. (CT) in the Hearnes Center. Missouri's win marks the second straight dual in which the Tigers put a stop to their opponents run at a perfect record. Last Saturday, the Tigers took down No. 10 Chattanooga, 24-10, in Tennessee.
Rebounding from his loss at UTC, 11th-ranked redshirt freshman Tony Pescaglia (Columbia, Mo.) managed a 13-0 major decision over Brad Gentzle of Pittsburgh. Dominating his opponent, Pescaglia rattled off 13 unanswered points, with each grappler hit with either a caution of stall call.
Redshirt freshman Willie Saxton (Rayland, Ohio), made his first career start in the Tiger lineup. Battling with Drew Headlee, Saxton was taken down in the first period, but cut the Panther's lead in half with an escape. Saxton tied the bout at two in the second, but was taken down before the end of the period. In the end, Headlee came through with eight points, including one for riding time, for the 12-4 win.
Senior Josh Wagner (Milton, Wis.) came up with the fourth straight bonus point victory of the night, pinning Joey Ecklof in 3:45. With the win, Wagner, ranked 15th in the nation at 149 pounds, recorded his 70th career victory.
Junior Michael Chandler (High Ridge, Mo.) and sophomore Nicholas Marable (Colliervielle, Tenn.) each moved up one weight class from their usual starting position. Chandler, ranked 13th in the nation at 157 pounds, shutout Ethan Headlee, 9-0, and scored four of his nine points by reversal.
Taking his chances with Gavin, Marable scored first in the bout with a takedown but allowed Gavin an escape which he followed with a takedown of his own. The second period opened with Marable down by deferral. His escape was the only point scored in the two minute period and sent the grapplers tied at three heading into the third period. Gavin came up with an escape and a takedown to win the bout, 7-3.
"Nick looked good tonight," Smith said. "He did a really nice job against the No. 1 wrestler in the nation. We were very pleased with how he stepped up to the challenge." Junior Raymond Jordan (New Bern, N.C.) improved to 12-1 on the season after besting Dave Sullivan, 13-4, at 184 pounds. Jordan's win gave the Tigers a four point lead, which Askren added his five points to for a nine point advantage heading into the heavyweight bout.
The Tigers will take a few days off over the holidays before returning to the mat against Bucknell on Jan. 4.
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