PEMBROKE – Visiting and top-ranked Lander was too much for UNC Pembroke in Conference Carolinas dual action, as the Bearcats beat the Braves 31-9 Thursday night at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.

A crowd of friends, family, and former Braves wrestlers under longtime coach, PJ Smith, showed up to honor and celebrate the life of the UNCP Athletics Hall-of-Fame coach who had such a profound effect on his former wrestlers, as well as the youth wrestlers he continued to mentor even after his retirement.
 
The Braves (1-1, 1-1 CC) move to 3-2 in the all-time series against Lander (2-0, 2-0 CC), and have now dropped the last two duals against the Bearcats after taking the first three matchups in the series.
 
Lander got off to a 9-0 start after the first three weight classes, before Jake Piccirilli picked up a 20-5 tech. fall over Lander's Junior Downing in the 149 pound bout. The Bearcats then secured a major decision and a tech. fall to extend the lead. Newcomer Scott Joll used a 10-2 major decision over 12^th-ranked Brandon Matthews to give the Black & Gold their final points of the match.
 
The Braves will be back in action Saturday, November 18, as they head to Bristol, Tennessee for the King Open.