Blue Devils Outlast Gardner-Webb, 18-16

Wednesday, February 9

Boiling Springs, N.C.

6 P.M.

Duke University

Gardner-Webb

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Blue Devils Outlast Gardner-Webb, 18-16

2/9/2022 9:20:00 PM | Wrestling

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Duke wrestling program (7-8, 0-3 ACC) battled through one of its tightest matches of the season, downing Gardner-Webb (5-7, 3-2 SoCon), 18-16 on Wednesday night at Paul Porter Arena.

The Blue Devils had to battle out of an early deficit, trailing 10-0 through the first three matches. However, redshirt senior Josh Finesilver delivered five key points with a 20-4 win by technical fall over Corbin Dion. Junior Wade Unger continued his strong play, adding another win via a 6-3 decision over Taylor Parks.

Like several matches this season, the Finesilver brothers provided extra points in their matches for the Blue Devils' total, as Matt Finesilver joined Josh in the win column with a 10-0 major decision over Evan Schenk. After a win by the Runnin' Bulldogs, the Blue Devils trailed 16-12, needing to win both matches.

Despite falling in an early 6-0-hole, redshirt senior Kaden Russell showed poise and battled back to win his match, 13-8, and shave the overall score to 16-15. Junior Jonah Niesenbaum was next up, controlling his match and defeating Peyton McComas for the second time this season, with an 8-3 decision.

With the victory, the Blue Devils have their most single season wins since the 2017-18 season.

The Blue Devils will return home for the conclusion of ACC play, beginning with a matchup against Virginia, on Saturday at 2 p.m., in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke 18, Gardner-Webb 16
125: Aedyn Concepcion (Gardner-Webb) def. Ty Naquin (Duke) – Dec., 10-3
133: Todd Carter (Gardner-Webb) def. Drake Doolittle (Duke) – MD, 16-7
141: Trevon Mejette (Gardner-Webb) def. Patrick Rowland (Duke) – Dec., 10-4
149: No. 14 Josh Finesilver (Duke) def. Corbin Dion (Gardner-Webb) – TF, 20-4 (3:35)
157: Wade Unger (Duke) def. Taylor Parks (Gardner-Webb) – Dec., 6-3
165: Rodrick Mosley (Gardner-Webb) def. Gabe Dinette (Duke) – Dec., 10-4
174: No. 16 Matt Finesilver (Duke) def. Evan Schenk (Gardner-Webb) – MD, 10-0
184: Jha'Quan Anderson (Gardner-Webb) def. Vincent Baker (Duke) – Dec., 10-3
197: Kaden Russell (Duke) def. Sam Mora (Gardner-Webb) – Dec., 13-8
285: Jonah Niesenbaum (Duke) def. Peyton McComas (Gardner-Webb) – Dec., 8-3

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