BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb captured wins in four individual matches, but Michigan State came through with bonus points in three consecutive weight classes to close out a 29-12 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs.

After back-to-back decisions by RJ Mosley and Evan Schenk, Gardner-Webb (1-3) found itself within 14-12 with three matches remaining. A marquee matchup at 184 pounds came next, with 2021 NCAA qualifier Jha'Quan Anderson and No. 21 Layne Malczewski squaring off.

Malczewski came alive in the second period to pull away. He took a 2-0 lead with a takedown late in the first period and came alive in the second period to pull away. He recorded eight points with less than a minute remaining in the period on a pair of nearfalls and led 12-0 heading into the final two minutes. He closed out the match with three points in the final period to put the Spartans up 19-12. 

Cameron Caffey came alive late to take an 11-2 major decision over Anthony Perrine at 197 pounds to put the team score out of reach and Brad Wilton pinned Peyton McComas late in the third period at 285 pounds for the final margin.

The two teams split a pair of exhibition matches following the main event, with Tyler Brignola winning a decision at 157 pounds for Gardner-Webb.

Gardner-Webb got off to a thrilling start, with Aedyn Concepcion rallying with a clutch four-point nearfall near the final buzzer in the third period to take a 7-4 win over Julian Saldaña at 125 pounds. Concepcion trailed 3-0 with a ride time disadvantage to Saldaña with just 70 seconds left, but pulled off an escape to get on the board. He then executed a quick takedown with just 10 seconds left to tie the match and quickly got a nearfall for 

No. 15 RayVon Foley came alive for a 13-5 major decision over Todd Carter at 133 pounds, but Trevon Majette put Gardner-Webb back in front with a 5-4 decision over Matt Santos at 141 pounds.

The Runnin' Bulldogs had an unfortunate result at 149 pounds, when Brandon Bright went down with an injury less than four minutes in. That result put the Spartans up 10-6 and Chase Saldate followed with a 13-0 major decision over Taylor Parks at 157 for a 14-6 edge.

Mosley rallied the 'Dogs with a 11-9 decision over Caleb Fish at 165 pounds, going up 6-0 early and holding on for a big win. Schenk then captured his 5-3 decision at 174 pounds, getting a takedown late in the first period, another late in the second and an escape with 1:05 to go in the third.

Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Sunday, December 19, hosting the Runnin' Bulldog Duals. GWU will wrestle at Noon vs. Campbell, 2:00 pm vs. George Mason and 4:00 pm vs. Ohio.

Ohio and George Mason will wrestle on the second mat at Noon and Ohio will take on Campbell on the second mat at 2:00 pm.

TEAM SCORE: Michigan State 29, Gardner-Webb 12
125: Aedyn Concepcion (Gardner-Webb) over Julian Saldaña (Michigan State) (DEC 7-4) – 3-0
133: RayVon Foley (Michigan State) over Todd Carter (Gardner-Webb) (MD 13-5) – 3-4
141:    Trevon Majette (Gardner-Webb) over Matt Santos (Michigan State) (DEC 5-4) – 6-4
149:    Peyton Omania (Michigan State) over Brandon Bright (Gardner-Webb) (INJURY 3:30) – 6-10
157:    Chase Saldate (Michigan State) over Taylor Parks (Gardner-Webb) (MD 13-0) – 6-14
165:    RJ Mosley (Gardner-Webb) over Caleb Fish (Michigan State) (Dec 11-9) – 9-14
174:    Evan Schenk (Gardner-Webb) over Nate Jimenez (Michigan State) (Dec 5-3) – 12-14
184:    Layne Malczewski (Michigan State) over Jha'Quan Anderson (Gardner-Webb) (TF 15-0; 7:00)
197:    Cameron Caffey (Michigan State) over Anthony Perrine (Gardner-Webb) (MD 11-2)
285    Brad Wilton (Michigan State) over Peyton McComas (Gardner-Webb) (FALL; 6:35) 

BONUS MATCHES
149 Exhibition: Eddie Homrock (Michigan State) over Corbin Dion (Gardner-Webb) (TF 17-2; 6:12)
157 Exhibition: Tyler Brignola (Gardner-Webb) over Cameron Monzadeh (Michigan State) (Dec 7-3)