February 12, 2010
Hokies take down Blue Devils, 27-20
Stephens, Dong record pins

DURHAM, N.C. – The 14th-ranked Virginia Tech wrestling team jumped out to a huge lead and hung on late to beat Duke 27-20 Friday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. With the win, the Hokies snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 15-5 overall, 3-0 in the ACC.

Peter Terrezza of Duke gave the Blue Devils an early 6-0 lead with a pin of back-up Schuyler Swanton at 125 pounds. Brock LiVorio got the Hokies the first of five-straight wins with an 18-6 major decision over Nick Adamo at 133 pounds. Tenth-ranked Chris Diaz was all over Mike Bell at 141 pounds, picking up a 20-4 technical fall late in the second period.

Brian Stephens continued his unbeaten ways in ACC play with a pin of Brent Jorge at the 4:04 mark and then fifth-ranked Jesse Dong pinned Christopher Piccolella just 76 seconds in to extend the lead. Matt Epperly beat Ben Wales 8-2 at 165 pounds to make it 24-6. Duke’s Voris Tejada beat John Dickson 14-4 and then Tech’s Tommy Spellman, ranked 19th in the country at 184 pounds, beat Diego Becomo 5-2. The two were tied at 2-2 heading to the final stanza, but Spellman got an escape and then a takedown in the waning seconds for the win.

John Barone took care of Chris Penny at 197 pounds, winning 15-4 and then Tech once again forfeited at heavyweight.

Tech will now face a banged-up NC State squad (6-11, 1-2 ACC) tomorrow at 1 p.m. inside Reynolds Coliseum.

#14 Virginia Tech (15-5, 3-0 ACC) 27, Duke (2-5, 0-4 ACC) 20
125: Peter Terrezza (DU) fall Schuyler Swanton, 2:39
133: Brock LiVorio (VT) maj. dec. Nick Adamo, 18-6
141: #10 Chris Diaz (VT) tech fall Mike Bell 20-4 (4:52)
149: Brian Stephens (VT) fall Brent Jorge, 4:04
157: #5 Jesse Dong (VT) fall Christopher Piccolella, 1:16
165: Matt Epperly (VT) dec. Ben Wales, 8-2
174: Voris Tejada (DU) maj. dec. Taylor Knapp, 14-4
184: #19 Tommy Spellman (VT) dec. Diego Bencomo, 5-2
197: John Barone (DU) maj. dec. Chris Penny, 15-4
285: Konrad Dudziak (DU) wins by forfeit

For updates on Virginia Tech wrestling, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Wrestling).

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