CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Austin Trott registered a pin of The Citadel's R.J. Hicks at the 1:40 mark of the 165-pound bout, as The Citadel rallied for a 20-15 win over Gardner-Webb in Southern Conference action on Wednesday evening.

With the win, The Citadel improves to 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the Southern Conference, while Gardner-Webb falls to 3-4 and 1-1 in league action.

The Citadel's Joaquin Marquez opened the night with a 6-2 decision over Cortez Starkes at 125 pounds, before Tyler Ziegler answered for the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 2-1 decision against Aaron Hansen at 133 pounds. The Cadets reclaimed the lead, 6-3, in the 141-pound bout following a 10-4 decision by Tyler Buckiso over Ryan Hull.

Gardner-Webb's Ryan Mosley evened the match at 6-6 in the 149-pound matchup, earning a narrow 3-2 decision against Matt Frisch. The Citadel's Aaron Walker responded for the Cadets with a 13-5 major decision against Kyle Ash at 157 pounds, giving The Citadel a 10-6 advantage.

Trott answered right back for the Runnin' Bulldogs at 165, pinning R.J. Hicks at the 1:40 mark of the match to give Gardner-Webb a 12-10 lead. A 12-2 major decision by The Citadel's Kenneth Radford over Christan Marioni at 174 pounds swung the match back in the Cadets' favor, giving The Citadel a 14-12 advantage with three bouts to go.

Gardner-Webb countered with a 6-0 decision at 184 pounds, as Hunter Gamble gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 15-14 lead with a victory against Jack Duane. The Bulldogs answered once again at 197 pounds, registering a 4-1 decision by Marshall Haas against Bryce Cornwell to take a 17-15 advantage.

A 9-3 decision for Joe Bexley against Justin Kozera capped the night, giving The Citadel a 20-15 final margin.

Gardner-Webb returns to the mat on Friday evening, when the Runnin' Bulldogs host Chattanooga at 6:00 pm followed by an 8:30 matchup against North Carolina in Paul Porter Arena.