DAVIDSON, N.C. - Duke won six consecutive matches, including two in overtime, en route to a 23-18 victory over Davidson in non-conference wrestling action Thursday night in Belk Arena.
Ryan Harding fended off a comeback attempt by Davidson (2-4) sophomore Brent Mowry at 157 pounds and scored a takedown in the first sudden victory period to earn an 8-6 decision for Duke (1-1). Mowry had overcome a four-point deficit in the third period with a three-point near fall and exactly one minute of riding time to force overtime.
Willy Mello then fended off a strong challenge by Davidson junior Tyler Mullen at 165 pounds to earn a decision in the first sudden victory period, as well. Mullen tied the match at 5-5 with a third-period escape, but Mello scored the overtime takedown for the win.
Davidson jumped out to a 15-0 lead after Duke forfeited the 125- and 133-pound matches and senior Vitaly Radsky earned a 12-6 decision over Mike Bell at 141 pounds, but Duke took control from there. Andrew Guardado scored a five-point technical fall with the riding time point at 149 pounds, and the overtime wins cut the Wildcats' lead to 15-11.
Bret Klopp (174 pounds) and Diego Bencomo (184) both scored major decisions to give Duke a 19-15 advantage, and Brian Self (197) put the match out of reach at 23-15 with a major decision.
Senior heavyweight Charlie Wolff concluded the match with a win for the Wildcats, escaping in the second tiebreaker period for a 4-3 win over Andrew Fulk.
Davidson will next host two matches this weekend, facing Clarion at 9 a.m. Saturday and Southern Conference foe UNCG Sunday at 7:30.
Davidson 18 - Duke 23
125- Zarth, Matt (Davidson College) For (Duke ) 0-0
133- Radsky, Alex (Davidson College) For (Duke ) 0-0
141- Radsky, Vitaly (Davidson College) DEC Mike Bell (Duke ) 12-6
149- Andrew Guardado (Duke ) TF5 Ray, William (Davidson College) 7:00
157- Ryan Harding (Duke ) SV Mowry, Brent (Davidson College) 8-6
165- Willy Mello (Duke ) SV Mullen, Tyler (Davidson College) 7-5
174- Bret Klopp (Duke ) MD Cirenza, Christopher (Davidson College) 10-0
184- Diego Bencomo (Duke ) MD Patrick, Donald (Davidson College) 23-9
197- Brian Self (Duke ) MD Crews, Ike (Davidson College) 12-1
285- Wolff, Charlie (Davidson College) TB-2 Andrew Fulk (Duke ) 4-3