DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The No. 21 Loras wrestling team fought its way back from a 22-5 deficit on Friday night against Dubuque, scoring bonus points in the final three bouts to win 24-22. Junior Quin Gilliam and freshman Guy Patron Jr. registered back-to-back falls at 197 and 285 to keep the Duhawks undefeated in the Iowa Conference.

AUDIO | Quin Gilliam vs. Martin Flemming (DBQ)


WINNERS
Evan Weaver | 149# | Normal, Ill. | University
With his team trailing 13-0 after the first three bouts, senior Evan Weaver took to the mat with one mission in mind, to turn the momentum back in his team's favor. From the opening whistle, Weaver was strong on his attacks and delivered takedown after takedown on his way to a tech fall of Dubuque's Jevontae Yarbrough, 23-6.

Eddie Smith | 174# | Prairie du Sauk, Wis. | Sauk Prairie
Unfortunately for the Duhawks, Weaver's win at 149# did little to slow the Spartan momentum, as they posted wins at 157 and 165 to take a commanding 22-5 lead in the dual. Smith responded with a 8-5 win by decision to bring Loras to within 14 team points with three duals remaining.

Awais Arain | 184# | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield North
The junior stepped onto the mat with confidence and let it show, scoring an early double-leg takedown on Dubuque's Ethan Cain, who quickly turned a reversal on Arain before conceding the escape. In the second period, Cain chose bottom and Arain made him pay, scoring a four-point near fall to take a commanding lead at 7-2. With 1:52 of riding time entering the third, Arain chose neutral and used it to his advantage with a takedown, going on to win by major decision, 10-2.

Guy Patron Jr. | 197# | Harvey, La. | Jesuit
Knowing that his team needed big points if a comeback was in store, Patron Jr. did what Patron Jr. does and threw Dubuque's Raven Rodriguez to his back with ease before forcing the fall for a six-point swing in the Duhawks' favor.

Quin Gilliam | 285# | Shreveport, La. | C.E. Byrd
Trailing 22-18 and needing at least a major decision to send the dual to criteria, Gilliam wasted no time in asserting his dominance over Dubuque's Martin Flemming with backside lift to a takedown for the first points in the bout. Right away, Gilliam flattened Flemming and refused to let him out of the hold, eventually flipping him to his back where the Shreveport, La. native could secure the fall and the dual win for Loras.

NOTABLES

UP NEXT
For the first time since 2003, Loras has guaranteed a top-two finish and will wrestle top-ranked Wartburg for a chance at the program's first Iowa Conference title next Thursday. The dual is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.