LEXINGTON, Va. – After a comeback attempt in the middleweight divisions, the VMI wrestling team surrendered losses in the opening four and final four bouts to fall to visiting Gardner-Webb, 34-9, in its Southern Conference home opener Thursday night at Cormack Hall.

Down 14-0 after two major decisions and two decisions by the Bulldogs, VMI's 157-pound freshman Neal Richards stopped the bleeding with a 10-6 decision over Gardner-Webb's Kyle Ash to cut the deficit to 14-3. Richards earned a takedown in the opening period for an early advantage and another in the second to head into the third period with a slim 4-2 lead. He took the reins in the final period with two takedowns and an escape en route to the 10-6 decision with riding time.

At 165 pounds, VMI's Shabaka Johns pinned Alex Bennett at the 4:30 mark of the second period to give the Keydets another six points and trim the disadvantage to 14-9. After taking bottom to start the second period, Johns earned an escape then quickly turned a takedown into a pin to earn the victory.

Junior Mark Darr (174) was evenly matched with Gardner-Webb's Brett Stein for the three periods as both exchanged blow for blow in a bout that came down to the final seconds. Darr appeared to earn a takedown at the last moment but was called off in the wake of an official review ruling it had occurred after the buzzer.

The Bulldogs would go on to claim the final three bouts for an additional 17 team points to run away to its 34-9 victory over the Keydets.

VMI returns to action next Thursday, Dec. 10 with a 7:30 p.m. SoCon matchup with Chattanooga at Cormack Hall.

Gardner-Webb 34, VMI 9
Dec. 3, 2015 – Cormack Hall
Lexington, Va.

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