BELMONT – Belmont Abbey tacked up seven individual victories, including four of the bonus point variety, to hand the UNC Pembroke wrestling team a 31-11 setback in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) opener for the Braves on Saturday afternoon in the Wheeler Center.
 
The setback dropped the Black & Gold (2-5, 0-1 ECAC) to 1-2 all-time in league openers, and snapped a nine-match winning streak for UNCP in the series with the Crusaders. It was the third-straight victory for Belmont Abbey (4-1, 2-0) who last tasted victory in the series on Nov. 17, 2007.
 
Freshman Nick Daggett tallied eight points in the third period alone on the way to a 12-6 victory in the 125-pound matchup, but the Crusaders won the next four individual matchups to go out in front, 13-3. Eric Milks ended the drought for the visitors with a 9-1 major victory in the 157-pound matchup, but Belmont Abbey sealed the win by capturing the next two matches, including Greg Hilliard's second-period pin at 165 pounds.
 
The Braves will be back in action again, Dec. 16-17, when they make the long trek to Indianapolis, Ind., to take part in the prestigious Midwest Classic at UIndy's Nicoson Hall. UNCP will close out the calendar year, Dec. 29-30, when they head to Lauderdale-by-the-sea, Fla., to compete in the Citrus Invitational.