FAIRFAX, Va. - Travis Sheehy and Byron Sigmon scored second period pins as UNCG started off the New Year with an impressive win over George Mason, 34-12, in RAC gymnasium.
The Spartans improved to 2-5 in duals this season, while George Mason will have to wait until their next match to collect their first win as they fall to 0-10 in duals this year.
Manny Ramirez and Jamel Johnson both earned victories via the forfeit giving UNCG an early 12-0 lead. George Mason got on the board following the 141-pound bout as Denny Herndon and Michael Crowley went into overtime. The bout was tied at 1, but Herndon earned a takedown to collect a 3-1 win in sudden victory, making the score 12-3 in UNCG's favor.
No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski continued his torrid run scoring a major decision in a 10-2 victory, which included four takedowns, over George Mason's Brandon Bucher as UNCG extended their lead to 16-3.
The 157-pound bout featured UNCG's Cody Rodebaugh and George Mason's Jaaziah Bethea. Bethea earned a 6-4 decision over Rodebaugh in a back and forth battle.
The next two matches proved too much for George Mason, as UNCG got back-to-back pins from Sheehy and Sigmon. Sheehy pinned James Kaden early in the second period as the ref blew the whistle after three minutes and forty seconds.
Byron Sigmon followed his teammate by pinning George Mason's Seth Robertson after three minutes and fifteen seconds.
George Mason would fight back and win the next two bouts. Aaron Keeton scored a 9-4 decision over Brett Miller at the 184-pound class. Caylor William's fate wasn't much better as he fell to No. 2 Cayle Byers in a 5-2 decision. Byers finished second at the Southern Scuffle last week, losing to No. 1 Cam Simaz from Cornell.
In the night's final bout, Peter Sturgeon didn't break a sweat as he won his heavyweight bout via the forfeit.
UNCG will take a day off before heading to Hampton, Va. for the Virginia Duals over the weekend. Action starts on Friday as UNCG will face Lehigh in the first round.
AGATE
UNCG 34, George Mason 12
125: Manny Ramirez (UNCG) forfeit
133: Jamel Johnson (UNCG) forfeit
141: Denny Herndon (GMU) dec Michael Crowley (UNCG), 3-1 SV
149: No. 16 Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG) maj. dec. Brandon Bucher, 10-2
157: Jaaziah Bethea (GMU) dec. Cody Rodebaugh (UNCG), 6-4
165: Travis Sheehy (UNCG) fall James Kaden (GMU), 3:22
174: Byron Sigmon (UNCG) fall Seth Robertson (GMU), 3:15
184: Aaron Keeton (GMU) dec. Brett Miller (UNCG), 9-4
197: No. 2 Cayle Byers (GMU) dec. Caylor Williams (UNCG), 5-2
285: Peter Sturgeon (UNCG) forfeit