QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University wrestling team pushed eighth-ranked McKendree University to the brink inside Pepsi Arena on Saturday afternoon, but back-to-back falls in the final two bouts proved to be the difference as the Bearcats escaped with a 25–20 victory.

McKendree jumped out to an early 6–0 lead with a forfeit at 125 pounds, but the Hawks responded immediately at 133 as Te'Andre Allen picked up a hard-fought 3–0 decision over Anthony Bernardo to put Quincy on the board.

The Bearcats answered with a decision at 141, but Quincy flipped the momentum at 149 behind a dominant performance from ninth-ranked Sabian Russell. Russell overwhelmed Caleb Lavine, earning a 19–3 technical fall at 6:39 to give the Hawks their first lead of the dual.

Isaiah Nichols continued the strong stretch for Quincy at 157, securing a 5–1 decision over Luke Kemper to extend the Hawks' advantage. McKendree countered at 165 with a major decision from fourth-ranked Sam Richardson, narrowing the gap heading into the back half of the lineup.

Quincy regained control at 174 as Raymond Fernandez delivered one of the biggest moments of the afternoon, pinning Nolan Mrozowski at the 4:04 mark to swing the momentum back in favor of the Hawks. At 184, tenth-ranked Callan Ivy followed with a clutch sudden-victory decision, edging Shamon Handegan 8–5 to give Quincy a 20–13 lead with two bouts remaining.

The Bearcats rallied late, however, earning falls at both 197 and 285 to close the dual and secure the 25–20 win.

The Hawks will return to action on Sunday, February 1, when they travel to Fayette, Iowa, to take on Upper Iowa University. First bout is scheduled for 2:00 PM from Dorman Memorial Gymnasium.

#8 McKendree 25 - RV Quincy 20

125: Giovanni Diaz (McKendree) over Unattached Forf.
133: Te'Andre Allen (Quincy) over Anthony Bernardo (McKendree) Dec. 3-0
141: Aiden Colbert (McKendree) over Zyan Westbrook (Quincy) Dec. 8-3
149: No. 9 Sabian Russell (Quincy) over Caleb Lavine (McKendree) TF 19-3 6:39
157: Isaiah Nichols (Quincy) over Luke Kemper (McKendree) Dec. 5-1
165: No. 4 Sam Richardson (McKendree) over Jackson Jones (Quincy) MD 8-0 
174: Raymond Fernandez (Quincy) over Nolan Mrozowski (McKendree) Fall 4:04
184: No. 10 Callan Ivy (Quincy) over Shamon Handegan (McKendree) Dec. SV 8-5
197: No. 5 Logan Kvien (McKendree) over James Soliz (Quincy) Fall 1:29
285: Casey Olszowka (McKendree) over Cody Ruiz (Quincy) Fall 2:10