(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Jan. 15)- The No. 15 McKendree University wrestling team suffered its first loss of the season on Wednesday at Lindenwood University 23-16.

The Bearcats fall to 5-1 overall and will travel to Somers, Wis., to compete in the Ranger Duals hosted by University of Wisconsin-Parkside. McKendree will face Augustana College (S.D.) and the host, who both received votes in the latest NCAA II ranking, at 9 a.m., and 10:30 a.m., respectively, before closing the day against No. 3 Saint Cloud State University at Noon.

Senior Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) put the Bearcats on the board following a decision loss at 125 pounds with a 3-0 decision win over Matt Katusin at 133 pounds to tie the match 3-3.

The Lions jumped out to a 16-3 lead following three-straight wins, but McKendree got back-to-back wins at 165 and 174 pounds by juniors Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) and Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) to cut the deficit to 16-13. Haferkamp pined Luke Roth in 3:49 and Alba earned a major decision over Tyler Sexton, 14-5.

A major decision loss at 184 pounds made the score 20-13 with two matches remaining, and junior Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), ranked No. 5 in NCAA II at 197 pounds, picked up a decision win over Kenny Breaux, 5-1, to bring the Bearcats within four, 20-16.

Junior Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) was edged by Steven Butler in a 3-1 decision in the heavyweight match to end the dual 23-16.

Dual Match Result
No. 15 McKendree University - 16
Lindenwood University - 23

125 - Marco Tamayo (LU) won by decision over Jose Torres (MU) 7-4
133 - Brenden Murphy (MU) won by decision over Matt Katusin (LU) 3-0
141 - Kyle Webb (LU) won by decision over Ryan Strope (MU) 6-3
149 - Terrel Wilbourn (LU) won by major decision over No. 8 Kyle Williams (MU) 15-6
157 - Derrick Weller (LU) won by pin over No. 7 Josh Ballard (MU) 6:39
165 - Nick Haferkamp (MU) won by pin over Luke Roth (LU) 3:49
174 - Luis Alba (MU) won by major decision over Tyler Sexton (LU) 14-5
184 - John McArdle (LU) won by major decision over John Vogt (MU) 18-8
197 - No. 5 Julian Smith (MU) won by decision over Kenny Breaux (LU) 5-1
285 - Steven Butler (LU) won by decision over Ross Janney (MU) 3-1