BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – In the first of two duals on Thursday, the George Mason wrestling team defeated Gardner-Webb, 30-13, at Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, N.C.

Mason (3-2, 1-1 EWL) fell behind Gardner-Webb (2-3, 0-0 SoCON) after the Runnin' Bulldogs began the match with a decision at 174 pounds.

At 184 pounds, Mason freshman Paul Pierce led Gardner-Webb freshman Christian Slater 4-0 after the first period and 9-1 going into the third.  Pierce recorded a 12-3 major decision to give the Patriots a 4-3 lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs notched a 12-4 major decision at 197 pounds to take a 7-4 advantage in the match.

Mason redshirt senior Matthew Voss started fast in the heavyweight matchup against freshman J.T. Trautman, scoring an early takedown in the first period.  Voss closed out the match with a pin at 2:14 to put the Patriots in front to stay.

Redshirt sophomore Talha Farooq then won by forfeit at 125 pounds to increase the Patriots match-score lead to 16-7.

Mason freshman Mel Ortiz led Runnin' Bulldogs freshman Brandon Bright 2-0 after the first and 8-3 after the second on the way to a 10-4 decision at 133 pounds to make the score 19-7.

After Gardner-Webb picked up a decision at 141 pounds, Mason redshirt senior Tejon Anthony stormed out to a 6-1 first-period advantage over freshman Connor Schiess.  Anthony won by fall at 4:44 to increase the Patriots lead to 25-10.

At 157 pounds, Mason freshman Kolby Ho built a 6-1 first-period lead over freshman Chase McKinney. Ho increased the advantage to 10-3 after the second and won by technical fall, 20-5.

The Runnin' Bulldogs ended the day with a decision at 165 pounds, but the Patriots claimed a 30-13 win in the first meeting between the two teams since 2014.

The Patriots won six of the 10 bouts, earning bonus points in four of the matches.

Mason is back in action later this evening, facing Davidson at 7 p.m. at the Belk Arena in Davidson, N.C.

George Mason 30, Gardner-Webb 13

174 | Kyle Homet (GWU) decision over Cornlius Schuster (Mason), 9-4 | 3-0 Gardner-Webb
184 | Paul Pierce (Mason) decision over Christian Salter (GWU), 12-3 | 4-3 Mason
197 | Anthony Perrine (GWU) major decision over Eli Spencer (Mason), 12-4 | 7-4 Gardner-Webb  
285 | Matthew Voss (Mason) fall over J.T. Trautman (GWU), 2:14 | 10-7 Mason  
125 | Talha Farooq (Mason) won by forfeit | 16-7 Mason
133 | Mel Ortiz (Mason) decision over Brandon Bright (GWU), 10-4 | 19-7 Mason
141 | Blake Mulkey (GWU) over Julio Alegria (Mason), 12-7 | 19-10 Mason
149 | Tejon Anthony (Mason) fall over Conrad Schiess (GWU), 4:44 | 25-10 Mason
157 | Kolby Ho (Mason) technical fall over Chase McKinney (GWU), 20-5 (5:59) | 30-10 Mason
165 | Tyler Marinelli (GWU) decision over Colston DiBlasi (Mason), 5-0 | 30-13 Mason