FAIRFAX, Va. – After leading the 13-7 at the halfway mark, the George Mason wrestling went on to lose four of its final matches as Gardner-Webb defeated the Patriots 23-16 at the Recreation and Athletic Complex on Sunday evening.

Wins from Sahid Kargbo, Shohei Takagi and Greg Flournoy earned Mason 13 points in three consecutive matches after losing the first two, however the Runnin' Bulldogs were able to win four of the final matches on the night to escape with the team victory. Mason falls to 4-7 in dual matches this season while Gardner-Webb wins its fifth to improve to 5-8.

Kargbo picked up his second pin of the season in his match at 141lbs., holding down Ryan Hull with 52 seconds remaining in the first period. The sophomore was up 6-2 prior to coming away with the fall and giving Mason six points.

In the next match at 149lbs. Shohei Takagi was able to give Mason the team lead after winning his bout with Tyler Ziegler 5-3. After going up 3-1 in the third period Takagi allowed a takedown that tied the match at three. He was able to earn an escape later in the period and added a point on advantage time to finalize the score.

Flournoy was able to handle Cole Graves with a 13-3 decision that gave Mason a 13-7 lead at the break but Gardner-Webb went on to win the next four matches, including a pin victory by the Bulldog's Austin Trott over Matt Stull at 165lbs. Jake Kettler won the final match of the night to bring the final score to 23-16.

The Patriots travel to Hampton, Va. next weekend to wrestle in the Virginia Duals on Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11.