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2022 Senior Night Wrestling

Wrestling Rallies To Upend Lander On Senior Night

| By: Todd Anderson, Associate AD/Strategic Initiatives
PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke wrestling team rallied all the way back from an early 12-3 deficit to take a lead midway through, and then erased another late deficit with wins in each of the last two matchups of the evening, to shock South Atlantic Conference Carolinas regular season champion Lander, 20-18, on Senior Night at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
 
It was the fifth win in the last six outings for the Braves (7-7, 5-2 SACC) who improved to 3-0 all-time against the Bearcats, including a pair of victories at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. The setback snapped a six-match win streak for Lander (10-3, 8-1) who had suffered just a pair of losses to top 5-ranked teams heading into the night.
 
All-American Nick Daggett got the night started with a 4-0 decision the 125-pound matchup, but the Bearcats used a forfeit win at 133 pounds, as well as 141-pounder Zeth Brower's third-period pin to forge a 12-3 advantage. UNCP captured each of the next three bouts, including a technical fall victory by Jake Piccirilli at 149 pounds, to storm ahead, 16-14, but Lander got wins via decision at both 174 and 184 pounds to retake a four-point advantage, 18-14.
 
Bryce Walker signaled the late comeback by toughing out a 4-1 decision at 197 pounds over defending SACC Wrestler of the Year and 2020-21 NCAA qualifier Darius Parker. With the match on the line, Zach Shaffer posted his team-leading 25th-win of the season, riding out Cody Fleming for the entirety of the third period to register a 2-0 decision.
 
The Braves will close out the regular season portion of their 2021-22 schedule on Thursday when they make the long trek to Bristol, Tenn., to take on King (8-7, 4-3). Action is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. inside KU's Student Center Complex.
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