Lynchburg, Va. - The George Mason wrestling team dropped a close 19-21 match today when they traveled to Lynchburg, Va. to face Liberty University.  The Patriots and Flames each recorded five individual wins with both teams being forced to forfeit in a weight class.  The difference in the match was a fall recorded by a Liberty wrestler.  Mason also picked up a major decision.

Mason started in a 0-9 hole after a forfeit and a John Delgado loss.  Denny Herndon and Brandon Bucher would bring the score to 7-9 with a 12-5 decision by Herndon and a 16-2 major decision by Bucher.  After a loss by Jaaziah Bethea Mason strung together three consecutive wins.  Jimmy Kaden , Greg Scott , and Bagna Tovuujav all recorded victories.  Kaden and Scott both won tight decisions with Kaden defeating Chad Porter 4-3 and Scott winning over Marcus Nielson 7-6.  Tovuujav won by a forfeit making the score 19-12 in the favor of Mason.  Liberty would settle down to win the final two matchups.  Jimmy Webb was pinned in a time of 3:28 by Aaron Kelley and Hunter Manspile lost a 4-1 decision against Aaron Thompson.

Mason will return to Fairfax for their final home game of the season when they host Virginia next Thursday, February 17.  That match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the RAC. 

Liberty 21 - George Mason 19

125: Robert Jillard (Liberty) wins by forfeit 

133: Mitchell (Liberty) dec. John Delgado (George Mason). 5-3

141: Denny Herndon (George Mason) dec. Seth Hicks (Liberty), 12-5

149: Brandon Bucher (George Mason) maj.dec. Peter Crawford (Liberty), 16-2

157: Julian Colon (Liberty) dec. Jaaziah Bethea (George Mason), 4-3

165: James Kaden (George Mason) dec. Chad Porter (Liberty), 4-3

174: Greg Scott (George Mason) dec. Marcus Nielson (Liberty), 7-6

184: Bagna Tovuujav (George Mason) wins by forfeit (Liberty)      

197: Aaron Kelley (Liberty) fall Jimmy Webb (George Mason), 3:28

HWT: Aaron Thompson (Liberty) dec. Hunter Manspile (George Mason), 4-1