(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 30)- The No. 13 McKendree University men's wrestling team jumped out to a 10-point lead halfway through the dual and held on to earn a 20-18 dual victory over No. 18 Maryville University on Thursday night.

The Bearcats improve to 9-2 overall with the win and will travel to Indianapolis, Ind., on Saturday to compete at the Greyhound Open hosted by University of Indianapolis. Matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.

McKendree dropped a decision at 125 pounds to open the night, but senior Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) put the Bearcats back in front, 5-3, with a 15-0 tech fall victory over Keygan Foster at 133 pounds.

Following a major decision loss at 141 pounds, McKendree rattled off thre straight wins to take a commanding 17-7 lead. Graduate student Kyle Williams (Scott Air Force Base, Ill./Mascoutah) picked up a forfeit win at 149 pounds and junior Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad), the No. 4 ranked wrestler in NCAA II at 157 pounds, followed with a close 3-1 decision over Greg Hagerty. Junior Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) upset NCAA II No. 3 Dimitri Willis at 165 pounds, 8-7, in the second sudden victory period.

The Saints won back-to-back matches at 174 and 184 pounds to get right back into the match, 17-15, but junior Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), the No. 4 ranked wrestler at 197 pounds, gave McKendree its final points of the match with a 10-4 decision win at 197 pounds to extend the lead to 20-15. A decision loss by the Bearcats at heavyweight made the final score 20-18.

Dual Match Result
No. 13 McKendree - 20
No. 18 Maryville - 18

125- Brandon Oshiro (MU) def. Jose Torres (McK), Dec. 9-3 | 0-3
133- Brenden Murphy (McK) def. Keygan Foster (MU), Tech Fall, 15-0 | 5-3
141- Darick Lapaglia (MU) def. Ryan Strope (McK), MD 14-3 | 5-7
149- #8 Kyle Williams (McK) by Forfeit, | 11-7
157- #4 Josh Ballard (McK) def. Greg Hergarty (MU), Dec. 3-1 | 14-7
165- Nick Haferkamp (McK) def. #3 Dimitri Willis, TB2 8-7 | 17-7
174- #8 Zeb Wahle (MU) def. Luis Alba (McK), Dec. 5-3  |  17-10
184- Nick Burghardt (MU) def. John Vogt (McK), Tech Fall 15-0 | 17-15
197- #4 Julian Smith (McK) def. Morgan Denson (MU), Dec. 10-4 | 20-15
HWT- #5 Donnell Walker (MU) def. Ross Janney (McK), SV 3-1 | 20-18