EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE wrestling won three of the final four matches but were held off by Campbellsville 20-19 Sunday at the Vadalabene Center.
Sunday's event was a rescheduled match from Friday because of weather concerns. The Cougars dropped to 2-11 overall. Campbellsville improved to 9-2.
SIUE Head Coach David Ray said his team has to stay motivated.
"We just have to keep plugging away. This is a new game and another level. Now we're in it," Ray said.
Jake Residori and David Devine recorded pins for the Cougars. Devine, a heavyweight, struck hardest with a fall over Terrell Moore at 1:01. Residori, at 174 pounds, pinned Michael Johnson in 3:37.
Derek Nagel also picked up a 6-1 victory with a takedown and two back points coming in the final seconds of his 184-pound match win over Nate Knauf.
Patrick Myers was SIUE's only other winner with an 11-2 major decision over Tyler Alsip at 133 pounds. Myers used a pair of five-point moves to trip up Alsip.
Ray said the individual wins will come when the wrestlers focus on their own matches. "We know there are a couple of guys who aren't that confident right now," he added.
SIUE returns to Southern Conference wrestling with a 7 p.m. ET match Wednesday at The Citadel.
"They are a tough opponent. We have to get ready," Ray said.
The Cougars also stay out east for three matches Saturday. The Cougars have SoCon matches against Davidson and Campbell as well as a matchup with Duke. All three of Saturday's matches will take places at the Davidson Duals in Lenoir, N.C.
Campbellsville 20 SIUE 19
125 Jarvis Elam (Campbellsville) def. Tyler Gilleland (SIUE) 8-1
133 Patrick Myers (SIUE) def. Tyler Alsip (Campbellsville) 11-2
141 Brandon Westerman (Campbellsville) def. Brandon Brindley (SIUE) 7-0
149 Kyle Terry (Campbellsville) def. Dillon Pousson (SIUE) 6-1
157 Conor Young (Campbellsville) won by TF over Logun Taylor (SIUE) 5:00 16-0
165 Joe Whalen (Campbellsville) def. Kyle Lowman (SIUE) 8-6
174 Jake Residori (SIUE) pinned Michael Johnson (Campbellsville) 3:37
184 Derek Nagel (SIUE) def. Nate Knauf (Campbellsville) 6-1
197 Allen Scruggs (Campbellsville) def. Jake Tindle (SIUE) 3-1
285 David Devine (SIUE) pinned Terrell Moore (Campbellsville) 1:01