LEXINGTON, Va. – Gardner-Webb got off to a strong start to the Southern Conference wrestling season, taking a 26-16 win over VMI Friday night in both teams' league opener.

The Runnin' Bulldogs fell behind after a forfeit at 125 pounds, but rallied quickly.

Philip Anderson picked up a 4-1 decision at 133 pounds to cut the margin in half and freshman standout Denton Spencer came alive at 141 pounds – pinning the Keydets' Jacob Mills in just 1:11 to put Gardner-Webb in front for good.

Joby Armenta followed with another quick pin at 149 pounds, taking down Michael Hulcher in 1:08 to put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 15-6. Tyler Marinelli picked up a 12-4 major decision at 157 pounds to extend the Gardner-Webb lead to 16-9.

VMI picked up a win at 165 pounds to stall the Gardner-Webb run, but Christian Maroni picked up a decision at 174 pounds – and Cole Graves wrestled to a dominant, 21-9, major decision at 184 pounds to wrap up team scoring for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

VMI closed the match with decisions at 197 and 285 pounds for the final margin.

Gardner-Webb (1-4, 1-0 SoCon) will break for exams before getting back to action at the 2017 Cleveland State Open on Saturday, December 16.

FINAL SCORE: Gardner-Webb 26, VMI 16
125: Clifton Conway (VMI) wins by forfeit (GWU)
133: Philip Anderson (GWU) dec. Hunter Starner (VMI), 4-1
141: Denton Spencer (GWU) pinned Jacob Mills (VMI), 1:11
149: Joby Armenta (GWU) pinned Michael Hulcher (VMI), 1:08
157: Tyler Marinelli (GWU) maj. dec. Robert DuPont (VMI), 12-4
165: Blake Hohman (VMI) maj. dec. Joshua Walker (GWU), 12-4
174: Christian Maroni (GWU) dec. Cade Kiely (VMI), 6-1         
184: Cole Graves (GWU) maj. dec. Jack Scalio (VMI), 21-9
197: Taylor Thomas (VMI) dec. Anthony Perrine (GWU), 4-2
285: Jake Tomlinson (VMI) dec. Jackson Price (GWU), 9-4