LAYTON, Utah – Utah Valley University fell on Thursday night to West Virginia University, 26-12 at Layton High School. The night's premier matchup of top five foes did not disappoint, with No. 4 Terrell Barraclough earning his fifth top five win of the season. UVU (6-8, 2-5) also had Caleb Uhlenhopp upset No. 16 Dennis Robin, and Kase Mauger recorded a win via pinfall.
 
The night's premier match between No. 3 Peyton Hall and No. 4 Terrell Barraclough did not disappoint. After a scoreless first period, Barraclough escaped to go up 1-0 in the second period before the All-American answered with a reversal to take a 2-1 lead. UVU's redshirt senior tied the bout up with an escape before taking one shot towards the end of the clock and secured a takedown for a 5-2 decision.
 
"Our guys battled tonight but ultimately didn't have enough to knock off a top 20 team. They had a little more firepower than we did tonight, and we didn't overcome having two starters out tonight. I'm happy for the guys that won, and especially Terrell. For him to get a Top 3 win in his home gym is special. We will reset and will be prepared to battle tomorrow. A special thank you to Layton High School and their staff for their hospitality," said UVU head coach Adam Hall.
 
No. 20 West Virginia won the night's opening bout with No. 26 Brody Conley winning by decision over Mark Takara. He fought back after trailing 4-0 in the third period with a takedown to make it 4-3, but Conley answered back with an escape and riding time to hold on for the 6-3 decision.
 
The first upset of the night came in the second match at 184 after a scoreless first period Caleb Uhlenhopp and No. 16 Dennis Robin exchanged reversals before remaining tied after the final frame. UVU's redshirt sophomore made a couple of moves in overtime and capitalized with a three-point takedown that went immediately into a count on a nearfall, and he was awarded four points.
 
The Mountaineers responded by winning the next three matches, first with No. 33 Ian Bush picking up a 5-0 decision over Kael Bennie and Rune Lawrence added an 8-1 decision over Jack Forbes to put West Virginia in front 9-3 in the team score. No. 10 Jett Strickenberger added to the lead with a major decision at 125.  
 
Kase Mauger earned six team points with his 32^nd pin of his UVU career this time in 3:42 over Tommy Maddox. He trailed 3-0 after the opening period but quickly responded with an escape and a takedown of his own in the second period, being able to secure the pin. He has secured seven pins this season, and the win marks his second against the Mountaineers after upsetting Strickenberger earlier this season at CKLV.
 
West Virginia quickly responded with a technical fall at 141, with Jordan Titus defeating UVU freshman Patrick Mullen in his UVU dual debut. The Naperville, Ill., native has competed in two other tournaments, including 3-2 at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Sam Hillegas followed with a technical fall to clinch the dual for the Mountaineers.
 
Tanner Frothinger battled back from an early deficit in first action since California Baptist. He used a five-point third period to narrow the gap but ultimately fell by decision.
 
The Wolverines are back in action tomorrow (Feb. 7) at 7:00 p.m. MT against Air Force. The regular season concludes with a Valentine's Day showdown with regional foe Northern Colorado in Lockhart Arena at 7:00 p.m. MT. It will also serve as UVU's senior night.
 
Full Results
174 – #26 Brody Conley (WVU) over Mark Takara (UVU), DEC 6-3                     3-0 WVU
184 – Caleb Uhlenhopp (UVU) over #16 Dennis Robin (WVU), SV-1 9-2              3-3 Tied
197 -  #33 Ian Bush (WVU) over Kael Bennie (UVU), DEC 5-0                             6-3 WVU
285 – Rune Lawrence (WVU) over Jack Forbes (UVU), DEC 8-1                           9-3 WVU
125 - #10 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) over Bridger Ricks (UVU), MD 11-2                        13-3 WVU
133 – Kase Mauger (UVU) over Tommy Maddox (WVU), Fall (3:42)                    13-9 WVU
141 – Jordan Titus (WVU) over Patrick Mullen (UVU), TF 21-6 (6:17)                  18-9 WVU
149 – Sam Hillegas (WVU) over Smokey McClure (UVU), TF 18-3 (4:56)            23-9 WVU
157 – Caleb Dowling (WVU) over Tanner Frothinger (UVU), DEC 15-9                26-9 WVU
165 - #4 Terrell Barraclough (UVU) over #3 Peyton Hall (WVU), DEC 5-2           26-12 WVU
 
Attendance: 1,543
Officials: Eric McGill and Kevin Looper