DURHAM, N.C. –
Landon LoAlbo picked up a win at 141 pounds, but Duke captured wins in the other nine bouts to take a 37-3 win over Gardner-Webb Wednesday night in non-conference wrestling action.
Gardner-Webb (1-8) fell behind quickly, with 19th-ranked Matt Finesilver taking a tech fall win at 174 pounds to start the night's action. Back-to-back decisions pushed the Blue Devils to an 11-0 lead and a tech fall at 285 pounds made the score 16-0.
A forfeit at 125 pounds was followed by a strong effort from Gardner-Webb's
Philip Anderson at 133 pounds. The senior battled Josh Finesilver throughout before falling in a 2-0 decision.
LoAlbo followed with a 12-6 decision at 141 pounds, outscoring the Blue Devils' Jeremiah Reitz and cutting the lead to 25-3. Duke went up 32-3 with a pin at 149 pounds, setting up the night's most anticipated matchup – with Duke's No. 11 Mitch Finesilver taking on Gardner-Webb standout
Tyler Marinelli at 157 pounds.
Finesviler was able to hold off Marinelli in a tight, 2-0, match. Duke's fourth Finesilver brother to take the mat Wednesday night, 165-pounder Zach Finesilver, outlasted
Brett Stein for an 11-6 win to cap the evening's action.
Gardner-Webb will remain on the road, traveling to take on Ohio University on Sunday afternoon.