BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey wrestling team earned a close 24-23 victory over Limestone Friday evening in a South Atlantic Conference Carolinas match at the Wheeler Center. The Crusaders and Saints were deadlocked at 23-23 following the completion of bouts in the 10-weight classes.

Belmont Abbey was determined to be winner on the third criteria, which was match points. In that criteria, the score was 50-48 in favor of the Crusaders.

Belmont Abbey moves to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the conference while Limestone is now 8-2 and 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED
John Carayiannis and Tyler Pepe provided a spark for The Abbey with victories in the 141 and 149-pound weight classes, respectively. Carayiannis won his bout with a fall in 1:26 while Pepe earned a 6-1 decision over Andrew Mckahan.

That was followed by Mitch Dean (165) and Christos Avgeros (174) winning their bouts via major decision and the Crusaders earned a fifth win thanks to Logan Branham (197), who defeated Andrew Freeman with a fall at 3:39.

RESULTS
125: Kevin Radcliff (LU) def. Brandon Crowder (BAC) (TF 19-2 6:44)
133: Majid Corbett (LU) def. Ben Fielding (BAC) (Fall 3:42)
141: John Carayiannis (BAC) def. Demetrius Drayton (LU) (Fall 1:26)
149: Tyler Pepe (BAC) def. Andrew Mckahan (LU) (Dec 6-1)
157: Alex Dilegge (LU) def. Tyler Gregor (BAC) (Dec 10-6)
165: Mitch Dean (BAC) def. Hunter Haven (BAC) (MD 21-10)
174: Christos Avgeros (BAC) def. Kyle Daley (LU) (MD 14-5)
184: Jaquez Bostic (LU) def. Connor Billingsley (BAC) (Dec 3-1)
197: Logan Branham (BAC) def. Andrew Freeman (LU) (Fall 3:39)
285: Juan Holmes (LU) def. Justin Wright (BAC) (Fall 3:47)

EXTRA BELMONT ABBEY MATCHES (vs. Lincoln Memorial)
133: Elijah Boyd (BAC) def. Andrew Overbay (LMU) (Fall 3:49)
141: Skyler Caban (BAC) def. Kade Millsaps (LMU) (Fall 1:13)
174: Connor Weeks (BAC) def. Parker Drake (LMU) (Dec 12-7)
184: Colby Maxwell (BAC) def. Michael Nunn (LMU) (MD 12-4)
285: John Carroll III (BAC) def. Gabriel Croom (LMU) (Fall 4:43)
Exhibition: Max Buico (BAC) def. Andrew Overbay (LMU) (MD 19-6)
Exhibition: Parker Drake (LMU) def. Aaron Zebrauskas (BAC) (Fall 4:06)

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will travel to Shippensburg, Pa. to compete in the Shippensburg Duals beginning Jan. 29.
• Belmont Abbey's next home match will be the second Tuesday Throwdown of the season Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. back at the Wheeler Center.