PEMBROKE – The 23^rd-ranked UNC Pembroke wrestling team combined to tally 30 takedowns and six near falls on the way to claiming 15 of the 20 individual matchups on the night, and the Braves cruised to wins over both Limestone and Lander in their final home appearances of the 2020-21 campaign. The Black & Gold topped the Saints, 26-14, to start the day, before dispelling of the Bearcats, 28-6.
 
The results helped the Braves (7-0) stretch their win streak in dual meets out to 12 matches, while also giving the program its first undefeated season in program history. The victory skein matches the longest win streak in school history. The program bridged the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons with 12-straight triumphs as well.
 
The Black & Gold opened the day with wins in each of its first two bouts with Limestone (3-4), but the Saints got on the board via Majid Corbit's third-period pin in the 141-pound matchup that cut the hosts advantage on the team scoreboard in half. John Burger helped the Saints cut into the lead again with a pin at 157 pounds, but the Braves captured four of the last five individual matchups, including a big 3-1 decision by Jovaun Johnson at 184 pounds.
 
UNCP won each of the first six individual matchups in its nightcap with Lander (5-3), and eventually built a 19-0 advantage following a 14-6 major decision by freshman Caleb Grau at 165 pounds. Tenth-ranked Jack Bond got the Bearcats on the board with a 5-4 decision in his 174-pound contest with Garrett Hill, but the hosts closed it out with two more wins, including a third-period pin from 11^th-ranked Ryan Monk in the heavyweight bout.
 
The Braves will now venture into the postseason when it heads to Franklin Springs, Ga., on February 27 to defend their 2020 NCAA Super Regional II championship. That tournament is expected to get underway at 9 a.m. inside Emmanuel College's Shaw Athletic Center.