HAYS, Kan. – The UNC Pembroke wrestling team nearly rallied all the way back from a 12-point deficit at the halfway point of their dual at Fort Hays State, but A.J. Cooper used a pair of reversals in the heavyweight matchup to fuel a dual-saving decision and clinched a 24-19 victory for the Tigers on Wednesday evening in northwest Kansas.
 
It was the second loss in the last three outings for the Braves (6-6) who will continue their run through the Midwest on Friday with a dual meet at Western Colorado (2-3). Wednesday's matchup kicked off the dual season for Fort Hays State (1-0).
 
Anthony Carter picked up a forfeit win in his Black & Gold debut to kick off the night for the visitors, but the Tigers responded with four-straight triumphs on the mat, including a pair of wins by injury default, to build an 18-6 lead on the team scoreboard.
 
The Braves would not go away without a fight, however, as Kaleb Warner put a big dent in UNCP's deficit with a first-period (1:28) pin at 165 pounds, only to have the hosts push their lead back out to nine points, 21-12, with Martin Verhaeghe's 6-1 decision in the 174-pound matchup.
 
Brandon Sloop was the benefactor of a 6-4 overtime decision at 184 pounds, and Jovaun Johnson followed with a dominant 23-9 major decision at 197 pounds that brought the Black & Gold to within two points, 21-19, on the team scoreboard. Cooper would quell the comeback effort in the heavyweight matchup, however, using a reversal in both the first and second periods to key a 7-2 decision.