LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall was unable to climb out of an early hole, falling to George Mason by a 28-10 score on Saturday evening at the Masyer Center in NCAA wrestling action. The defeat dropped the Diplomats to 1-2 on the season, while the Patriots improved to 4-2.

George Mason took control in the early going, earning back-to-back decisions to open up the match with a 6-0 advantage heading into 141. The Patriots followed with a dominant 13-4 major decision, before Sharron Townsend battled at 149, but was unable to overcome a pair of first-period takedowns en route to an 8-5 loss. 

The visitor lead was extended to 19-0 with two George Mason decisions at 157 and 165, before Gordon Bolig got F&M's first points on the board in dramatic fashion. Knotted up at 1-1 after three periods of action, the bout appeared destined for a second overtime before Bolig secured a pin with just one second remaining in the fourth to hand six points to the Diplomats. 

Anthony Mancini kept the momentum on F&M's side at 184, registering an early takedown and dominating throughout his contest. The Diplomats' freshman grappler picked up three near fall points on three separate occasions, cruising to a 12-0 major decision and pulling F&M within nine at 19-10. 

George Mason's Matt Meadows pulled ahead early at 197 with a takedown and two near fall points against the Diplomats' Charles Kerkesner, and took the bout by a 12-6 score to give the Patriots a decisive 23-10 lead in the match. 

F&M returns to the mat tomorrow when the Diplomats will send wrestlers to compete at the Nittany Lion Open in State College.

George Mason 28, Franklin & Marshall 10 

125: Ibrahim Banduka (GEMA) over Dan Martoccio (F&M) (Dec 9-3)

133: Vince Rodriguez (GEMA) over Scott Stevens (F&M) (Dec 5-2)

141: Sahid Kargbo (GEMA) over Robert Ruiz (F&M) (MD 13-4)

149: Konbeh Koroma (GEMA) over Sharron Townsend (F&M) (Dec 8-5)

157: Gregory Flournoy (GEMA) over Rob King (F&M) (Dec 9-3)

165: Ryan Forrest (GEMA) over Andy Francos (F&M) (Dec 8-2)

174: Gordon Bolig (F&M) over Daniel mika (GEMA) (SV-1 (Fall) 7:59)

184: Anthony Mancini (F&M) over Derek Dwyer (GEMA) (MD 12-0)

197: Matt Meadows (GEMA) over Charles Kerkesner (F&M) (Dec 12-6)

285: Jacob Kettler (GEMA) over Alex Henry (F&M) (Fall 6:12)