ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- The No. 20 Ouachita Tigers faced off against the No. 3 ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma on Friday evening, marking the first Top 20 wrestling match-up to ever take place at Ouachita's Bill Vining Arena. The Tigers got out to a quick start, with a decision victory, but struggled to keep pace with the Bronchos, eventually falling by a score of 34-13.
 
125 pounder Garrett Evans faced off with UCO's Ryan Brooks in the first match of the evening, cruising to an 8-2 victory and kicking things off right.
 
In the 133 lb weight class, Anthony Melillo was unable to keep the momentum building, as nationally-ranked No. 3 Casy Rowell captured a major decision victory in a 16-0 finish.
 
No. 6 Josh Myers countered Rowell's victory over Melillo quickly though, taking the 141 lb match-up over Ben Morgan just 3:18 into the match and gave the Tigers the team score lead.

The 149 lb class put the Tigers back behind the Bronchos, as UCO's Jordan Basks recorded a major decision over Ouachita's Sawyer Smith.
 
An upset by the Bronchos' Cory Dauphin over Ouachita's No. 3 ranked Bobby Williams turned the tables and gave the Bronchos a fairly comfortable advantage, as Dauphin pinned Williams to the mat 5:49 in.
 
No. 6 ranked Chris Watson continued to stretch the Broncho lead, defeating Dexter Carter by fall in the 165 lb match up. Carter was unable to rebound after a near fall and was pinned by Watson just 1:55 in.
 
Aaron Butler came onto the mat, facing off with No. 4 ranked Kelly Henderson. Butler battled to the finish, but ended up falling by a score of 10-5, putting the Tigers' backs against the wall late in the dual.
 
No. 3 ranked Dallas Smith might have posted the most impressive performance of the evening, sealing off a victory over UCO's No. 4 ranked Tanner Keck and capturing a major decision win with a 9-1 final score.
 
Action continued with the 197 lb battle, as Znick Ferrell notched another major decision victory for the Bronchos in a 10-2 win over Ouachita youngster Seth Calvert.
 
No. 8 Cody Dauphin faced off with the Tigers' Taylor Poe in the heavyweight class, and quickly showed that he wasn't going to waste any time. Dauphin took Poe to the mat quickly and pinned him just 1:55 into the match, capping off a 34-13 win for UCO.
 
Friday night's dual marked the last time that the Tigers will compete in Arkadelphia this season. They will have to travel to Newberry, South Carolina next Saturday, January 26, to compete in the Newberry Duals.
 
-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director
 
125- Garrett Evans (OBU) dec. Ryan Brooks (UCO) (8-2)
133- Casy Rowell (UCO) maj. dec. Anthony Melillo (OBU) (16-0)
141- Josh Myers (OBU) win by fall Ben Morgan (UCO) (3:18)
157- Cory Dauphin (UCO) win by fall Bobby Williams (OBU) (5:49)
165- Chris Watson (UCO) win by fall Dexter Carter (OBU) (1:55)
174- Kelly Henderson (UCO) dec. Aaron Butler (OBU) (10-5)
184- Dallas Smith (OBU) maj. dec. Tanner Keck (UCO) (9-1)
197- Znick Ferrell (UCO) maj. dec. Seth Calvert (OBU) (10-2)
285- Cody Dauphin (UCO) win by fall Taylor Poe (OBU) (1:55)
 
Team Score: UCO-34 OBU-13