WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 24, 2018)-- Central Missouri Mules Wrestling battled hard the whole night against the 12th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers, scoring four individual wins, but ultimately fell short of a comeback. The Mules dropped a 27-14 match as they fall to 3-11 on the season and 1-2 in MIAA action. 

Kaleb Warner scored the most for the Mules picking up six points by way of pinfall, while Jesse Reser (165), Allan Person (174), and Braden Best (184) all scored wins via decision. The Mules trailed by as much as 17 points, but got within seven to make things interesting. Late rallies by the Lopers (18-1, 2-0 MIAA) in the final two bouts help them hold off the Mules on the road.

UCM found itself down 12-0 right away after forfeiting at 125 pounds and 133 pounds. The tough start continued as Zachary Schridde dropped a 16-1 technical fall in 2:18, making it 17-0 in favor of UNK. Warner got things going with a pin over 149-pound defending national champion Keith Surber in 4:48. Warner dominated the match up to the pin outscoring Surber 9-2 before ultimately securing six points for the Mules.

Shea Conley fought hard at 157 pounds, but close calls and missed opportunities ultimately cost him a 16-6 major decision. The Lopers lead grew to 21-6 at the midway point, but the Mules did not give in, and nearly mounted a comeback winning three of the final five bouts. 

Reser pushed his win streak to three, scoring a 6-2 decision for UCM and making it a 21-9 overall match score. Person got up early at 174 pounds, leading 6-2 on All-American Zach Stodden after one period. Stodden kept things close down the stretch, but late escapes and riding time help Person score a 10-7 win. Following the win, Person was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for removing the straps off his singlet before fully leaving the mat. UCM was deducted a team point, bringing the team score to 21-11, UNK.

Best scored an 8-2 decision win at 184 pounds to get UCM within seven of UNK, 21-14. The rally ended there for the Mules though as they dropped the final two weight classes of the night. Dominique Hampton fought hard at 197 pounds, but managed just two points and dropped an 8-2 decision. Ryan Morris had chances at 285 pounds scoring two takedowns, but Jarrod Hinrichs fast start help him secure a 13-7 win.

The Mules will some time off before they hit the road once again, this time to Lebanon, Ill. They will square off against the No. 6 Division II team in the country in the McKendree Bearcats on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Mat action gets started at 7 p.m.

#12 Nebraska-Kearney 27, Central Missouri 14
125: Josh Portillo (UNK) win by forfeit | UNK- 6, UCM- 0
133: Bryce Shoemaker (UNK) win by forfeit | UNK- 12, UCM- 0
141: Tevin Briscoe (UNK) over Zachary Schridde (UCM): TF 16-1, 2:18 | UNK- 17, UCM- 0
149: Kaleb Warner (UCM) over Keith Surber (UNK): WBF 4:48 | UNK- 17, UCM- 6
157: Matt Malcom (UNK) over Shea Conley (UCM): MD 16-6 | UNK- 21, UCM- 6
165: Jesse Reser (UCM) over Brayden Wills (UNK): Dec. 6-2 | UNK- 21, UCM- 9
174: Allan Person (UCM) over Zach Stodden (UNK): Dec. 10-7 | UNK- 21, UCM- 12
*UCM called for unsportsmanlike conduct; deducted one team point | UNK-21, UCM- 11*
184: Braden Best (UCM) over JJ Clark (UNK): Dec. 8-2 | UNK- 21, UCM- 14
197: Trey Schlender (UNK) over Dominique Hampton (UCM): Dec. 8-2 | UNK- 24, UCM- 14
285: Jarrod Hinrichs (UNK) over Ryan Morris (UCM): Dec. 13-7 | UNK- 27, UCM- 14