Wrestling Defeats Duke to Cap Perfect Saturday of ACC Action

Jan. 24, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. - The University of Maryland wrestling team handled the Duke Blue Devils, 28-15, at Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday evening, giving the Terrapins their second win on Tobacco Road on the day to improve to 2-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Maryland defeated NC State in Raleigh earlier in the day, 21-18. The Terps improved to 6-7-1 and 2-1 in the ACC with the pair of victories.

"It was definitely a good weekend for us," Maryland head coach Kerry McCoy said. "This was key to get us back on a positive note in the ACC. Both teams wrestled tough today and came out fired up. We had to battle back late against NC State in a close match and against Duke we had to hold a big lead. It was good to see the team handle both situations well. I'm excited to get back to work and keep getting better as a team."

Brendan Byrne set the tone early for the Terps at 125 pounds, pinning Peter Tezzerra 40 seconds into the second period to put Maryland up 6-0 on Duke (5-3, 1-2 ACC).

Eighth-ranked Steven Bell picked up his second win of the day, taking a 14-4 major decision at 133 pounds against Jack Anderson. A medical forfeit at 141 pounds gave Maryland another six points and the Terps seemed well on their way to a big victory, leading 16-0.

However, the Blue Devils took four of the next five matchups, including a John Barone pin at 184 pounds to pull the Blue Devils within six, 21-15, with two matches remaining.

Fortunately for Maryland, No. 10 Hudson Taylor responded at 197 pounds, controlling Dan Tulley en route to a 10-0 major decision to seal the victory for Maryland.

Heavyweight Patrick Gilmore put the icing on the cake in the finale, winning 2-0 against Robert Holbrook.

Maryland returns home Friday with a dual against in-state rival Navy. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

MARYLAND 28, DUKE 15
125 - Brendan Byrne (MD) fall over Peter Terrezza, 3:40 (6-0)
133 - No. 8 Steven Bell (MD) major dec. Jack Anderson, 14-4 (10-0)
141 - No. 13 Alex Krom (MD) inj. default Spencer Jasper (16-0)
149 - Dan Adamo (DU) dec. Dex Lederer, 6-2 (3-16)
157 - Kyle John (MD) tech. fall over Mike Bell, 6:57 (21-3)
165 - Addison Nuding (DU) dec. Brian Letters, 3-2 (21-6)
174 - Voris Tejada (DU) dec. Bradley Nielson, 12-6 (21-9)
184 - John Barone (DU) fall over Owen Smith, 2:27 (21-15)
197 - No. 10 Hudson Taylor major dec. Dan Tulley, 10-0 (25-15)
HWT - Patrick Gilmore (MD) dec. Robert Holbrook, 5-0 (28-15)