Gardner-Webb @ Bellarmine

Bellarmine picked up a 23-15 SoCon dual meet win over Gardner-Webb on January 28, 2024 at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. The match came down to a collection of bonus-point finishes on both sides that ultimately separated the teams.

Gardner-Webb got a big lift from Drew West at 125 pounds, as West ran up an 18-1 technical fall over Damion Ryan to earn five team points. Jha'Quan Anderson also delivered a high-value result for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, taking an 11-1 major decision at 184 for another four points, keeping Gardner-Webb firmly in contention through multiple weight classes.

Bellarmine answered with its own parade of bonus wins. Trayce Eckman’s 16-6 major at 133 and AJ Rallo’s 9-0 major at 141 combined for eight team points and narrowed the gap, but it was Thadd Huff’s fall over Peyton McComas at heavyweight that provided the six-point swing Bellarmine needed. Huff’s pin proved decisive, turning a competitive dual into a definitive 23-15 home victory for the Knights.

In the end, bonus points decided the meet: Bellarmine’s three bonus victories (two majors and a fall) outweighed Gardner-Webb’s tech fall and major. The 8-point margin reflected that balance of high-scoring finishes more than any single decision-length bout.