Sixth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney won the final three bouts to erase a four-point deficit and defeat the second-ranked Pitt-Johnstown Wrestlers, 24-16, in Friday's Quarterfinals of the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, KY.
 
The Mountain Cats slipped to 11-3 on the season and will face 14^th-ranked Mercyhurst in the Sonsolation Quarterfinals at 5 p.m.
 
Nebraska-Kearney climbed out to a quick 9-0 lead.  In a battle of Top-5 wresters at 125 lbs., Nebraska-Kearney's No. 1-ranked Josh Portillo earned a 4-1 decision over fifth-ranked Brendan Howard, before Wesley Dawkins pinned Matt Siszka at 1:28 in the 133-bout.
 
Pitt-Johnstown came back to win the next three bouts to go on top, 13-9.  At 141 lbs., eighth-ranked Jacob Ealy dealt No. 12 Jonathan Killingsworth a 6-4 loss to get the Mountain Cats on the scoreboard.  Top-ranked Chris Eddins pinned Teontae Wilson at 149 lbs. :36 into the opening period to knot it at nine, before Jacob Burgette scored a 13-1 major decision over Jacob Wasser at 157 lbs.
 
An 8-2 win by No.1-ranked Matt Malcolm over Pitt-Johnstown's fourth-ranked Devin Austin at 165 lbs. got the Lopers back to within one, but fifth-ranked Brock Biddle got the Mountain Cat lead back out to four with a 6-2 decision over Talon Seitz at 174 lbs.
 
However, Nebraska-Kearney closed out the match with three consecutive victories.  Anthony Mancini used a riding time point to upset No. 4 Connor Craig, 3-2, at 184 lbs. to get the Lopers back to within a point.  Andrew Demos then held off Tyler Oliver, 9-7, at 197 lbs. to give the lead back to Nebraska-Kearney, before second-ranked Jarrod Heinrichs pinned Allan Beattie at 6:20 to close it out.