WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 21, 2017)-- The Central Missouri Mules Wrestling team (5-7, 1-2 MIAA) dropped a close dual at home Saturday afternoon as they fell to Ouachita Baptist, 24-21, in the Multi. The Mules have now lost their last five duals.

The dual started with the Mules forfeiting at 125 pounds, giving Ouachita Baptist the early 6-0 lead. At 133 pounds, John Feeney ended his five-dual losing streak by scoring a 12-2 major decision over Weston Cronan, cutting the Tigers lead to 6-4.

141 pounder Bradley Irwin gave UCM its first lead, 8-6, with 10-2 major decision over Harrison Bamman to pick up his 10th dual win of the season and 11th overall. The Tigers answered with Blake Clevenger, at 149 pounds, pinning Braxton Sparks in 2:34 and regaining the lead at 12-8. The Mules responded as well, winning the next three weight classes.

Ouachita Bapstist was open at 157 pounds, giving Steffon Fassett the win via forfeit and returning the lead back to UCM, 14-12. 165 pounder, Jesse Reser earned his 21st overall win and 10th dual win of the season by scoring a 16-3 major decision over Connar Loderhose.

Josh Thomson, who had not wrestled since Nov. 19, picked up a win at 174 pounds for the Mules. Thomson got in an early 4-1 hole to Tyler Mann, but responded by scoring the next five points to lead 5-4. Thomson walked way scoring an 8-5 decision and pushing UCM's lead to 21-12.

The Tigers did not go away though, winning the final three weight classes. Dylan Lewis was pinned in 1:50 at 184 pounds, while 197 pounder Grant Sparks dropped a 6-2 decision to Austin Hailey. The Tigers' wins via a pin and decision set up 21-21 tie going into the final bout at 285 pounds.

Chase Miller and Jerhett Lee battled most the match, but neither owned an advantage early on. Late in the second period Miller picked up an escape point to grab the 1-0 lead, but Lee responded with a two-point takedown and a late escape point to secure a 3-1 decision and the Tigers win.

The Mules will be right back in action tomorrow (Sunday) as they host the annual Roger Denker Open. The tournament will get started at 10 a.m. in the Multi.

125: Hunter Jones (OBU) wins via forfeit; OBU 6-0
133: John Feeney (UCM) MD Weston Cronan (OBU) 12-2; OBU 6-4
141: Bradley Irwin (UCM) MD Harrison Bamman (OBU) 10-2; UCM 8-6
149: Blake Clevenger (OBU) wbf over Braxton Sparks (UCM) 2:34; OBU 12-8
157: Steffon Fassett (UCM) wins via forfeit; UCM 14-12
165: Jesse Reser (UCM) MD Connar Loderhose (OBU) 16-3; UCM 18-12
174: Josh Thomson (UCM) Dec. Tyler Mann (OBU) 8-5; UCM 21-12
184: Austin Weldon (OBU) wbf over Dylan Lewis (UCM) 1:50; UCM 21-18
197: Austin Hailey (OBU) Dec. Grant Sparks (UCM) 6-2; Tied 21-21
285: Jerhett Lee (OBU) Dec. Chase Miller (UCM) 3-1; OBU 24-21