FULTON, Mo. - Sparring point for point, William Woods University (1-8) stayed within reach of NCAA Division III Westminster College (8-7), though the Owls ultimately fell 26-23 to the crosstown Blue Jays Wednesday at Westminster Historical Gymnasium. Disregarding opens, WWU went 5-3 in bouts and outscored Westminster 23-14.

"I was happy with our efforts," William Woods wrestling coach Jacob Lorentz said. "We won five matches and competed well. Hats off to Westminster, as they have a solid squad. We are improving, and it's starting to show, we have to keep working and striving for more with the conference tourney a month away."

The Owls' Easton DeMilia wrestled at 133 pounds in this season's first dual with the Blue Jays on Dec. 10. This time, he competed at 125 and secured a 9-6 decision victory over Isaac Gawronski to send WWU in front 3-0. With DeMilia moving up a weight class, Westminster's Henry Warfel, whom DeMilia beat by 17-2 (2:32) technical fall earlier this season, won due to an Owls open to send Westminster ahead 6-3.

After the Blue Jays won back-to-back bouts to extend their lead to 15-3, WWU fought back with three straight wins to regain the lead, 17-15. Prevailing for The Woods were Whit Nichols (157) by a 13-4 major decision over Adam Peregoy, Xander Sederburg (165) by a 1:50 pinfall over Michael Roberts and Elijah Brocksmith (174) by a 10-0 major decision over Brendon Marquess.

Unfortunately for the Owls, Westminster all but secured its dual victory by scoring 11 unanswered points to take a 26-17 advantage. Regardless, Ben Stephens (285), wrestled for the first time in over two years at the Dr. Tom Smith Invite on Jan. 11, shined in his dual debut for WWU, pinning Michael Carpenter in a quick 34 seconds. The Owls' Josef Planansky (157) earned a 29-second pin over Austen James in an exhibition dual to cap the night.

William Woods faces future conference opponent (RV) William Penn University (0-6) at 6 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Penn Activity Center in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It'll be the Statesmen's Senior Night, and they have three nationally-ranked grapplers: No. 14 Cameron Hargrove (165), No. 17 Branson Bottorff (184) and No. 23 Lane Scorpil (133).

Westminster 26, William Woods 23

125: Easton DeMilia (William Woods) won by a 9-6 decision over Isaac Gawronski (Westminster), 3-0 Owls.
133: Henry Warfel (Westminster) won due to open, 6-3 Blue Jays.
141: Wyatt Cooley (Westminster) won by a 10-7 decision over Kael Glenn (William Woods), 9-3 Blue Jays.
149: Jonathan Roberts (Westminster) won by a 1:28 pinfall over Hudson Karr (William Woods), 15-3 Blue Jays.
157: Whit Nichols (William Woods) won by a 13-4 major decision over Adam Peregoy (Westminster), 15-7 Blue Jays.
165: Xander Sederburg (William Woods) won by a 1:50 pinfall over Michael Roberts (Westminster), 15-13 Blue Jays.
174: Elijah Brocksmith (William Woods) won by a 10-0 major decision over Brendon Marquess (Westminster), 17-15 Owls.
184: Austen Wetzel (Westminster) won by an 18-3, 1:04 technical fall over Dominic Mullin (William Woods), 20-17 Blue Jays.
197: Cole Harrell (Westminster) won due to open, 26-17 Blue Jays.
285: Ben Stephens (William Woods) won by a :34 pinfall over Michael Carpenter (Westminster), 26-23 Blue Jays.
Extra: Josef Planansky (William Woods) won by a :29 pinfall over Austen James (Westminster).