NEWBERRY, S.C. – The 10^th-ranked UNC Pembroke wrestling team tacked up a trio of bonus-point victories, including Kaleb Warner's third-period pin at 149 pounds, to fuel a 23-17 victory at Newberry on Monday evening in Eleazer Arena.
 
The result marked the second-straight victory for the Braves (6-5) who have now won two-straight duals in the series with Newberry. The setback snapped a nine-match win streak for the Wolves (10-3) who had not tasted defeat since a 44-3 loss to then-No. 1 St. Cloud State on December 2. All three of Newberry's losses this season have been at the hands of nationally-ranked squads.
 
Sixth-ranked Nick Daggett got the night going by toughing out an 8-6 win over Austin Neal in the 125-pound matchup, and freshman Ronnie Pietro kept the momentum going with a dominant 17-0 technical fall over Trevor Mansfield at 133 pounds minutes later.
 
The Wolves got on the board thanks to fourth-ranked Isaiah Royal's 5-2 decision over 141-pounder Jonathan Miller, but the Black & Gold ripped the momentum right back, as well as took a 14-3 lead on the team scoreboard, thanks to Warner's big win over David Giantono in the 149-pound bout.
 
Austin Palmer got a takedown with five seconds left in the third period to send the 157-pound match to overtime, and then got the Wolves back in the match with a pin that came just past the 8-minute mark. The Braves would answer with three consecutive victories, however, to clinch the night. Rodney Shepard, the nation's second-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, tacked up a 19-9 major decision over Nick Giantono, and Faris Teia accrued just more than a minute of riding time to edge Keenan Graham, 3-2, at 174 pounds.
 
Seventh-ranked Brandon Sloop surrendered a stall point in the first period of his 184-pound bout with ZeBrandon Gant, but rallied back to clinch UNCP's second-straight series road win with a 4-1 decision.
 
The Braves will make a return trip to Eleazer Arena on Saturday for the Newberry Open. Wrestling action is scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m.