ARKADELPHIA, Ark.  - #20 Ouachita Tigers let a 16 point lead slip from their grasp as Lindenwood University won five straight matches to come from behind and win 20-16 this past weekend in Bill Vining Arena.
 
The Tigers started strong with dominate wins in the first four matches. 125-pounder Garrett Evans and 133-pounder Nate Rodriguez put the Tigers up 7-0 early with dominating wins. Josh Myers, Sawyer Smith and Bobby Williams took over their matches in the third period to give the Tigers five straight victories and a 16-0 lead over the Lions.  
 
Lindenwood would score back-to-back decisions with close wins over Max Welsh and Joey Hutchens. The Lions would get within striking distance in the next match with an upset technical fall win over 184-pounder Dallas Smith by John McArdle. The victory would cut the Tiger lead to five, 16-11.
 
The Tigers would lose the final two matches by decision and pin-fall giving the Lindenwood Lions a come-from-behind 20-16 win.
 
Head Coach Kevin Ward gave credit to the Lions and their performance.
 
"Kind of unexpected the way the lost that dual, but I'm not walking away feeling disappointed with our effort today," said Coach Ward. He added, "I think we wrestled a very good team and we had them on the ropes – we just couldn't put them away when we had chances to.  Give the other team credit."
 
He added that the loss was not a back-breaker for the Tigers squad, "I know this team is headed in the right direction. I see individuals on the team with the right mindset which is critical this time of year." 
 
Coach Ward said, "We still have a team capable of being in the mix at the end of the season.  This isn't a time to feel bad about a loss, this is a time to learn and get better and move on, and we will do that."
 
The Tigers compete in their final home dual of the 2014 season against #5 Central Oklahoma this Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 PM in Bill Vining Arena.
 
 
FINAL RESULTS:
 
125      Garrett Evans decision over Marco Tamayo             7-2
133      Nate Rodriguez major decision over Matt Katusin  10-0
141      Josh Myers decision over Kyle Webb                       10-5
149      Sawyer Smith decision Colton Orlando                    3-0
157      Bobby Williams decision Derrick Weller                   6-5
165      Morgan Fitzgerald decision Max Welsh                    3-2
174      Luke Roth decision Joey Hutchens                           5-3
184      John McArdle technical fall over Dallas Smith          20-5
197      Kenneth Breaux decision over Troy Mercer             7-2
285      Steven Butler pin over Nathan Jackson                    6:15
 
Team Final      Lindenwood     20        OBU     16