PEMBROKE – No. 24 UNC Pembroke took the first three bouts via bonus-point wins, and would later win three more in a row en route to a 27-12 Senior Night win over Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas dual action Friday night on Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.

The win clinched at least a share of the Conference Carolinas East division, as well as locking up the host site for the Conference Carolinas Wrestling Championship on Sunday, February 15. 

The Braves (14-4, 7-2 CC) improved to 20-4 all-time against the Crusaders (6-5, 6-2 CC).

The Black & Gold will be back in action February 1 as they head to South Carolina for the Newberry Open.

BELMONT ABBEY AT #24 UNCP (W, 27-12)

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With the match starting at 157 pounds, 12th-ranked Keegan Roberson got the Braves on the board first with a major decision, while 15th-ranked Caleb Grau followed with a pin in the 165-pound bout, before Logan Hoffman added another bonus-point win with a technical fall at 174 pounds to stake the Black & Gold to a quick 15-0 lead. After a Belmont Abbey win at 184 pounds, UNCP answered back with a thrilling decision win from Jackson Buck at 197 pounds, before Nigel Williams won via injury default in the heavyweight bout and Cooper Davis earned a hard-fought decision win in the 125-pound bout. The Crusaders closed the dual with three wins, but it wouldn't be enough as the Braves took the 27-12 victory.

(Belmont Abbey was assessed a one-point penalty for misconduct.)