The eighth-ranked Missouri wrestling team beat No. 19 Pittsburgh 23-17 last night in Pittsburgh to improve to 4-0 on the season.

"It’s been a long trip," Missouri Coach Brian Smith said. "Our guys are tired and run down, but even though a few moved up a weight class, we still found a way to pull through for the win. I think that says a lot for our team."

Hickman graduate Tony Pescaglia, ranked 11th in the nation, scored a 13-0 major decision over Brad Gentzle at 125 pounds. Other MU winners included Josh Wagner, who pinned Joey Ecklof in 3:45 at 149 pounds; Michael Chandler, who beat Ethan Headlee 9-0 while wrestling up a weight at 165; Raymond Jordan, who defeated Dave Sullivan 13-4 at 184; and Max Askren, who beat Dave Crowell by a 17-2 technical fall.

In another notable match, MU’s fourth-ranked 165-pounder, Nick Marable, wrestled at 174 against top-ranked Keith Gavin and lost 7-3.

"Nick looked good tonight," Smith said. "He did a really nice job against the No. 1 wrestler in the nation."

Girls basketball

● Salisbury 60, Southern Boone 53: The Southern Boone girls basketball team cut Salisbury’s lead to two with seven minutes to play in the consolation game of the Centralia Invitational, but the Eagles could not complete the comeback.

Courtney Branch led the way for Southern Boone. The senior forward scored 14 points in the second half and finished with 22 points. Tillie Bill added 12 points for the Eagles (2-4).

Cassy Nicolay led the Panthers with 24 points.

Southern Boone’s next game is Jan. 3 at Fatima.

● Moberly 54, Hannibal 46: Shelby Thorne and Tierney Seifert each scored 11 points as the Spartans notched their first win this season.

Morgan Whitson added 10 for Moberly (1-7), which trailed at halftime before taking the lead and pulling away from the Pirates in the fourth quarter.

Katelyn Ferguson led Hannibal (1-10) with 14 points.

The Spartans play tomorrow at Fulton.

Advertisement