BROOKLYN, N.Y. – In a back-and-forth battle, No. 19 New York University (NYU) used a win in the final weight class to secure a 23-18 victory over the Centenary University wrestling team on Friday night.

The Cyclones, who trailed 14-3 after four weight classes, rallied to take an 18-17 lead with one bout remaining. However, the Violets got a pin at 285-pounds to secure the win in the match.

Centenary got things off to a solid start as freshman Jacy Jones picked up a 6-1 win over John DeStefano.

NYU then picked up wins at 133, 141 and 149 pounds and took a 14-3 lead in the match. The Cyclones faced tough opponents during that stretch as both of the Violets wrestlers at 133 and 141 pounds are listed as contenders by D3wrestle.com in their respective weight classes. Freshman Perry Maio battled Sean Lyons at 149-pounds but ultimately fell to the wrestler ranked 10th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll.

Centenary got back in the win column as senior Christopher Muce picked up an injury default victory at 157-pounds. Muce improved to 16-4 on the year with victory.

At 165-pounds, redshirt-junior Alec Donovan battled for a 3-1 decision over James Murdoch. Donovan has now won four straight dual bouts and sits at 13-5 on the year. His win pulled the Cyclones to within two, 14-12 in the contest.

Senior Jordan Juliano improved to 16-6 on the season with a 9-4 decision over Izaake Zuckerman at 174-pounds. That gave the Cyclones a 15-14 edge in the match.

NYU took the lead back in the contest, 17-15 as Jackson Kligerman battled past freshman Aidan Fernandez at 184-pounds.

Senior Etiini Udott, who entered the week as the top wrestler in the nation at 197-pounds, notched another win for the Cyclones. Udott picked up a 9-4 decision over Jack LaCorte as Centenary took an 18-17 lead in the match. The Centenary senior improved to 14-3 on the year with the victory.

Jacob Lill posted a pin over freshman Justin Hopman at 285-pounds to secure the win in the match for NYU.

The Cyclones will be back on the mat on Friday, Jan. 25 when they host No. 6 Ithaca at 7 p.m.