(ST. LOUIS, Mo., January 18)- The McKendree University wrestling team lost its wrestling dual at Missouri Baptist University on Wednesday night 25-22.

The Bearcats fall to 2-3 overall and will travel to Marshall, Mo., on Saturday, January 21st to compete at the Missouri Valley Invitational.

Junior Tyler Orr (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon) put McKendree in front 6-0 following a forfeit win at 125 pounds, but had forfeit losses at 133 and 141 pounds to trail 12-6. The Spartans extended their lead to 16-6 after Esmond Ford defeated redshirt sophomore Devin Patterson (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon) at 149 pounds, but McKendree earned two straight forfeit victories at 157 and 165 pounds to take an 18-16 lead. Senior Mandela Johnson (Westmont, Ill./Downers Grove North) lost a 7-3 decision to A.J. Carter-Johnson at 174 pounds and redshirt freshman Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) lost a 4-1 decision to Weston Keleher at 184 pounds to put Missouri Baptist back in the lead, 22-18. Redshirt junior Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) tied the dual, 22-22, with a 13-4 major decision win over Lucas Keene at 197 pounds, but an overtime loss by redshirt freshman Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) to Joe Kent, 4-2, at heavyweight dealt the Bearcats the 25-22 loss.