LEXINGTON, Va. — The LIU wrestling team split a pair of matches on Friday afternoon, topping Bellarmine 28-12 and then falling in a heartbreaker to host VMI, 19-18.

In the opening match against Bellarmine, Robbie Sagaris (125 pounds), Devin Matthews (141), Rhise Royster (157), Donavan Smith (174), Anthony D'Alesio (184), John Dusza (197) and Aeden Begue (285) all were victorious.

D'Alesio earned five points for the Sharks by winning via technical fall against Sam Schroeder (22-7, 6:12). So did Begue (19-4, 5:39) against Will Muckler in the heavyweight clash.

Against VMI hours later, LIU surged to an 18-13 lead entering the heavyweight match after consecutive major decision victories from D'Alesio and Dusza.

However, Begue — a hero a week earlier at Franklin and Marshall — was pinned by Tyler Mousaw in the final match for the decisive six points.

LIU next competes against Drexel next Friday at 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.