Box Score | Detailed Score Sheet
 
ERIE, Pa. – Travis Roper's pin in the second-to-last bout secured a 21-19 victory for the 14th-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team on Friday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup against host Gannon University at the Hammermill Center.
 
The teams decided on an alternate match format, starting with the 149-pound bout and finishing at 141 pounds. Gannon (5-2, 3-2 PSAC) scored a quick, three points with a shutout decision at 149, but Kutztown (8-5, 3-0) responded with two-straight decisions at 157- and 165-pounds to take the lead. The two squads traded three-point wins over the next three bouts to bring the score to a 9-9 tie with four matchups remaining.
 
Top-ranked heavyweight Ziad Haddad finally opened up the scoring with the first bonus victory of the match, pinning Nick Budd in 48 seconds. Gannon quickly cut KU's six-point lead down to two with a major-decision win at 125 pounds.
 
With two bouts to go and KU holding a two-point lead (15-13), Roper came through for the Golden Bears with a pin against Aaron Smith in 4:12 at 133 pounds, securing the team victory. Adam Weinwell scored six points in the final bout (141 pounds) for Gannon, but it was too little too late.
 
Veterans Matt Martoccio and Bo Candelaria earned the wins for the Maroon and Gold at 157- and 165-pounds, respectively. Martoccio scored two takedowns in the final period to lock down a 6-4 victory over Garret Smith, while Candelaria utilized riding time for a 5-1 win against Adam Pace. Andre Petroski needed a two-point reversal in the final round of the 187-pound bout to pull away from Zachary Zelcs for a 4-2 triumph.
 
The Golden Bears will not have long to celebrate, as they return to the mat tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. to square off against Mercyhurst University. The Lakers are ranked seventh in the nation and one spot ahead of Kutztown in the regional rankings.