Duke Comeback Falls Short Against Eastern Michigan

Sunday, January 11

Pittsburgh, Pa.

10:00 AM

Duke University

Eastern Michigan

Duke Comeback Falls Short Against Eastern Michigan

1/11/2015 11:51:00 AM | Wrestling

By: Duke Sports Information

PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Duke wrestling team's rally from a 13-0 deficit to Eastern Michigan came up just short as the Blue Devils fell to the Eagles 22-13 in the opening round of the Pitt Duals. Duke battled back to tie the match before Eastern Michigan closed out the dual with two victories.

After falling behind 13-0 after the first four matches of the morning, the Duke (5-2) mounted a massive comeback that ultimately came up just short. Eastern Michigan broke the 13-13 tie with wins in the final two bouts of the morning.

Redshirt senior Immanuel Kerr-Brown sparked the rally with a hard-fought 8-6 decision over Brandon Zeerip. The Eastern Michigan veteran battled back down the stretch, but Kerr-Brown's early efforts proved to be too much to overcome as the Duke captain earned his 14th win of the year.

Jake Faust added a win at 165 pounds, while Trey Adamson pulled the Blue Devils within three with a crucial 20-10 major decision at 174. Faust's win was his 11th of the year and fourth dual victory. Adamson, meanwhile, moved to 4-4 overall with his 44th career victory.

Sophomore Jacob Kasper completed the comeback for Duke with a 9-3 decision over Mike Curby at 184 pounds. Kasper currently leads the Blue Devils with a 17-5 overall record and 5-1 mark in duals.

With two matches remaining, Duke aimed to take its first lead of the morning with a Conner Hartmann victory. Ranked fifth nationally and having just one loss to No. 1 J'Den Cox, Hartmann dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Anthony Abro that put the Eagles back into the lead 16-13 with just the heavyweight match remaining.

Redshirt freshman Gage Hutchison iced the victory for Eastern Michigan, pinning Brendan Walsh in the third period.

Duke battles No. 9 Pittsburgh in the second round of the Pitt duals at 11:45 a.m.

Eastern Michigan 22, Duke 13

125: Blake Caudill (EM) dec. Thayer Atkins (Duke), 10-8; EM leads 3-0

133: Vicent Pizzuto (EM) m. dec. Bailey Jack (Duke), 12-2; EM leads 7-0

141: Michael Shaw (EM) dec. Evan Botwin (Duke), 8-5; EM leads 10-0

149: Nicholas Barber (EM) dec. No. 18 Marcus Cain (Duke), 6-0; EM leads 13-0

157: Immanual Kerr-Brown (Duke) dec. Brandon Zeerip (EM), 8-6, EM leads 13-3

165: Jake Faust (Duke) dec. Devan Marry (Eastern Mich), 6-2; EM leads 13-6

174: Trey Adamson (Duke) m. dec. Austin Geerlings (Eastern Mich), 20-10; EM leads 13-10

184: Jacob Kasper (Duke) dec. Mike Curby (Eastern Mich), 9-3; Tied 13-13

197: Anthony Arbo (EM) dec. No. 5 Conner Hartmann (Duke), 3-2; EM leads 16-13