(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 3)—The McKendree University wrestling team dropped a 24-18 decision Wednesday at home to Missouri Valley College in a battle of NAIA top 10 squads at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.

The Bearcats had an eight-match winning streak in home dual matches come to an end with the loss. McKendree, the No. 2-ranked team in the latest NAIA coaches' poll, slipped to 3-1 on the year in dual match competition. Missouri Valley, the NAIA's No. 7-ranked program, moved to 1-0 in dual matches this season.

McKendree, which had a perfect 5-0 home record on its way to a second-place finish at the NAIA National Championship a year ago, lost at home for the first time since Jan. 31, 2007. That night, Lindenwood University posted a 23-12 win over the Bearcats.

Against Missouri Valley, McKendree registered four victories and nearly rallied from a 10-0 deficit after three bouts. Sophomore Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill./) (Shiloh, Ill.) started the Bearcats' comeback bid with a 3-2 decision in the heavyweight match of the evening. Sanchez, the top-ranked NAIA wrestler at 197 pounds, posted the win despite moving up a weight class against Missouri Valley.

Freshman Kyle Williams (Mascoutah, Ill./) (Mascoutah, Ill.) brought McKendree within 14-9 as he won by fall at the 5:36 mark in a 133-pound contest. Senior Jermaine Waye (Altama, Ga./) (Brunswick, Ga.) posted a 3-0 shutout win at 141 pounds to bring the Bearcats within 14-12.

However, Missouri Valley claimed victories in the next two contests to seal the win for the evening. Junior Aaron Winning (Highland, Ill./) (Highland, Ill.) helped the Bearcats finish strong as he took the 165-pound match by fall in just 63 seconds.

McKendree will return to action Saturday at the Wisconsin Open.

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY WRESTLING RESULT

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3 AT LEBANON, ILL.

Missouri Valley College 24, McKendree University 18

174 pounds: Alex McKinney (MVC) won by maj. dec. Andrew Cheesman (Mt. Carmel, Ill./) (McK), 14-3

184 pounds: Jesse Alter (MVC) def. Tom Edwards (Belleville, Ill./) (McK), 6-5

197 pounds: Charlie Gibbs (MVC) def. Chas Maloch (Corona, Calif./Santiago) (McK), 8-3

285 pounds: Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill./) (McK) def. Travis Ewart (MVC), 3-2

125 pounds: Billy Exline (MVC) won by maj. dec.. A.J. Ciccarelli (Edwardsville, Ill./) (McK), 10-0

133 pounds: Kyle Williams (Mascoutah, Ill./) (McK) won by fall vs. Jon Gerhold (MVC) at 5:36

141 pounds: Jermaine Waye (Altama, Ga./) (McK) def. Jesse Hulett (MVC), 3-0

149 pounds: Brian Graham (MVC) won by maj. dec. vs. Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill./) (McK), 9-1

157 pounds: D.W. Bradshaw (MVC) won by fall vs. Jeremy Ellingwood (Plainfield, Ill./) (McK) at 4:12

165 pounds: Aaron Winning (Highland, Ill./) (McK) won by fall vs. Jacob Guernsey (MVC) at 1:03

-McK-