ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri Baptist split decisions on Saturday in the Indiana Tech Duals. The Spartans won two and lost two on the day while putting in a nice showing against three teams ranked in the NAIA Top 20.
The Spartans began the day with a nice victory over the No. 15-ranked Indiana Tech. Gabe Roman and Detorious Prayther led things off for MBU with victories, but Indiana Tech was equal to the task, taking a lead heading into the 165lb class. MBU's AJ Carter-Johnson, Tyler Floyd and Weston Keleher all posted consecutive wins to give the Spartans a comfortable lead. The Warriors pulled within one in the 197lb weight class as Dustin Boyd pinned MBU's Michael Hahn. Julius Anglikas, however, finished the dual strong for his team. Anglikas recorded a win by decision to take the first competition for Missouri Baptist.
In the second and third duals did not go as well for the Spartans. Facing the No. 12-ranked University of the Cumberlands first, MBU posted wins by Prayther and Roman, but lost its next four matches in a row. Though the Spartans did manage five wins, the Cumberlands were slightly better with a 22-19 win over Missouri Baptist.
The third dual on the day, the Spartans had a chance to make a statement against the No. 6-ranked Campbellsville University, but only managed 13 points. Prayther again won at 133, his third win of the day, but MBU lost four consecutive matches, including the 141lb class matchup of unranked Joe LaMar (MBU) versus No. 11-ranked Brandon Westerman.
Missouri Baptist lost three matches in the dual by fall. All of the MBU match wins came by decision with the exception of Roman's win at 125 by major decision.
Missouri Baptist won its final dual of the day handily over Calumet. The team won nine of 10 matches, five of which were by forfeit (133, 141, 149, 157 and 165). Carter-Johnson, Keleher, and Roman all recorded victories in addition to Luis Contreras, who pinned Corty Anderson to secure the 54-4 victory.
Missouri Baptist will return to the mat next weekend as the team travels to the Raven Duals. This will be the final competition of the calendar year for the Spartans.
