OREM, Utah – Utah Valley wrestling defeated California Baptist, 23-14 on Saturday night inside Lockhart Arena. The Wolverines won four of the final five bouts, including a pin by Jack Forbes at 285 that broke an 11-11 tie. UVU (5-4) won six total matches, with three coming via bonus points to hand CBU (5-3) their first Big 12 loss of the season.
 
"That was a good team win against a gritty CBU squad. They certainly came to wrestle, and we responded with some tough wins," said UVU head coach Adam Hall.  "I'm happy to have Terrell back and firing. Ryker Fullmer looked the best he's been all season. Jack Forbes injected some much-needed life into our team and the crowd, going with a pin," said Hall.
 
California Baptist won the night's open bout at 149 as Paul Kelly took control early and recorded a technical fall over Tanner Frothinger to put the Lancers up 5-0. The Wolverines got right back into the dual after major decisions from Ryker Fullmer and No. 4 Terrell Barraclough. Fullmer built a comfortable lead at 7-1 after two periods, but the third period got him the bonus point victory with two takedowns in the final 11 seconds. In his first action since Cliff Keen, Barraclough took the mat and recorded a major decision. He led 5-0 heading to the final period, pulling away with two penalty points, and then a last second takedown took the score to 10-1 before the riding time point.
 
The Lancers earned a pair of decisions to regain the 11-8 lead in the team scores after Carter Schmidt and No. 31 Nathan Haas picked up decisions in their matches. The CBU streak came to an end at 197. CBU's Eli Sheeren held a narrow 3-2 edge into the final minute of the third period before Kael Bennie took the lead with a takedown and held on for the final 30 seconds to even the dual up at 11.
 
Forbes put the Wolverines up for good after battling through a couple of delays due to bleeding in the first period. He took a 1-0 lead in the second after an escape from the bottom position and extended his lead to 4-0 before pinning Jamikael Lytle. The pin was his second in dual action after he pinned Morvens Saint Jean (Presbyterian) earlier this season.
 
125-pounder Bridger Ricks returned to action after missing the Oregon State dual and did not waste time with an escape early in the first period. CBU's Mitchell Neimer kept it close but was only able to score on a pair of escapes to and trailed 3-2 heading to the third period before Ricks extended his lead to 4-2 on an escape and earned the riding time point.
 
The Lancers' final victory of the night came from returning NCAA qualifier Hunter Leake. He broke a scoreless first period on an escape before No. 32 Kase Mauger tied it up at 1-1 heading to the final period. He chose the bottom position to open the third, but neither wrestler scored, and the match was decided by riding time, which went to Leake.
 
Heading into the 141-pound bout, CBU needed a pin to force the tie and have the winner come down to criteria, but No. 16 Haiden Drury had other ideas, going up 2-0 on two escapes in the second period. After being warned for stalling, Richard Murillo cut the lead to 2-1 in the final 30 seconds but would not score again.
 
Drury improves to 15-3 this season and 8-1 in dual action. He holds a career record at Utah Valley of 24-6 in duals.
 
Hall said, "We let a few matches slip away, which we will analyze and improve on. We will dial in on our training over the next two weeks as we prepare for Mizzou on the 17th. Go, Wolverines!"
 
Utah Valley will travel to No. 12 Missouri on Friday, Jan. 17, for a 5:30 p.m. MT dual against the Tigers. They will also travel for the rest of the month visiting Wyoming, South Dakota State and North Dakota State. 
 
Full Results
149 -    Paul Kelly (CBU) over Tanner Frothinger (UVU), TF 21-3 (5:39)               5-0 CBU
157 -    Ryker Fullmer (UVU) over Jeremy Ginter (CBU), MD 16-3                        5-4 CBU
165 -    #4 Terrell Barraclough (UVU) over Drayden Morton (CBU), MD 11-1       8-5 UVU
174 -    Carter Schmidt (CBU) over Mark Takara (UVU), DEC 5-1                          8-8 Tie
184 -    #31 Nathan Haas (CBU) over Caleb Uhlenhopp (UVU), DEC 10-5             11-8 CBU
197 –   Kael Bennie (UVU) over Eli Sheeren (CBU), DEC 5-4                                11-11 Tie
285 -    Jack Forbes (UVU) over Jamikael Lytle (CBU), Fall (4:24)                         17-11 UVU
125 -    Bridger Ricks (UVU) over Mitchell Neimer (CBU), DEC 5-2                     20-11 UVU
133 -    Hunter Leake (CBU) over #32 Kase Mauger (UVU), DEC 2-1                    20-14 UVU
141 -    Haiden Drury (UVU) over Richard Murillo (CBU), DEC 3-1                      23-14 UVU
 
Officials: Derek Lark and Casey Fish
Attendance: 1,023