HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker nearly rallied all the way back from an early 8-0 deficit, but the UNC Pembroke wrestling team got a big pin from Brandon Sloop at 184 pounds to key a 24-17 victory over the Cobras on Tuesday evening in the DeLoach Center.
 
The triumph snapped a two-match skid for the Braves (2-2) who improved to 6-0 all-time in the series with the Cobras. It was the first dual meet of the season for Coker (0-1).
 
The Braves faced little resistance in securing the first two individual matchups of the night as all-American Nick Daggett delivered a convincing 12-5 decision as a prelude to freshman Ronnie Pietro's demolition of Chase Clark via a 16-1 technical fall that took just less than four minutes to complete.
 
The Cobras got on the board and trimmed their deficit in half thanks to Alex Miller's 16-6 major decision over Jonathan Miller in the 141-pound matchup, but newcomer Kaleb Warner padded the Black & Gold's lead back out to eight points, 12-4, with an 11-3 major decision at 149 pounds.Tyler Makosy pushed that lead out to 15-4 by toughing out a 2-1 decision at 157 pounds minutes later.
 
Coker got back into the match via a forfeit win at 165 pounds, and then climbed to within two points on the team scoreboard, 15-13, on the shoulders of Taylor Catoe's tight 9-7 decision in the 174-pound bout.
 
Sloop would deliver the biggest blow of the night at 184 pounds, registering an early takedown of Brandon Mills before pinning the Coker freshman less than 45 seconds later. Andrew Colborn would follow with a 6-2 decision at 197 pounds to clinch the team victory for the Braves.
 
UNCP will take a two-week hiatus from competition before resuming their 2018-19 schedule, Dec. 15-16, at the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. The Black & Gold will return home again on December 19 for a dual meet against region rival Belmont Abbey.