CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- App State Wrestling won seven of 10 matches, earning bonus points in six of them, to post a 28-13 victory at Chattanooga on Sunday.

Chad Bellis opened the dual with a major-decision shutout against a ranked opponent, and the Mountaineers (6-3, 3-1 SoCon) were ahead 15-13 before Tomas Brooker, Carson Floyd and Jacob Sartorio closed the dual with bonus-point wins in App State's ninth consecutive victory against the Mocs (10-4. 4-2).

Brooker won via a 15-0 tech fall in the opening period at 184, Floyd secured a 12-3 major decision at 197 and Sartorio posted an 8-0 major decision at heavyweight.

With Chattanooga's strength at the top of its lineup, Bellis gave App State a much-needed major decision by a 10-0 score against 30th-ranked Brayden Palmer in the opener at 125 pounds. Palmer is 11-2 this season, with his only losses occurring against Bellis.

Bellis, who built a late 11-2 lead on Palmer at the Southern Scuffle in early January before the reigning SoCon Champ and two-time NCAA qualifier suffered an injury on the final takedown, took a 3-0 lead on a takedown with 58 seconds left in the first period Sunday.

Bellis stayed on top for the rest of that period, added a stalling point while riding out the entire second period and produced another takedown in the third period.

That outcome was critical, given that Chattanooga accrued 10 team points over the next two matches, with six coming from an unlikely pin in the second match of the day.

App State's Ethan Oakley led 6-2 after one period in a ranked showdown against Blake Boarman and went in on a second-period shot to extend the lead before getting caught underneath Boarman for an improbable fall. Chattanooga's Isaiah Powe, who has a top-33 national ranking, then posted a 9-1 major decision against Ike Byers at 141 to put the Mountaineers in a 10-4 hole.

With 2023 SoCon finalist and 21st-ranked Noah Castillo not in Chattanooga's lineup at 149, 18th-ranked Cody Bond recorded three takedowns and one reversal in a 12-2 major decision against Matthew Williams.

App State took the lead for good at 11-10 thanks to a 6-3 decision at 157 from Tommy Askey, who recorded a takedown in the second period and had a quick reversal to open the third against Austin Paradice. Will Miller then had takedowns in each period of a 12-4 major decision over Kamdyn Munro at 165.

The Mocs cut their deficit to two team points at 174, as Luke Uliano took a 5-4 lead on a third-period takedown but gave up two points in quick succession on a stalling penalty and then an escape late in the third period in a 6-5 loss.

Three straight victories at the heaviest weights allowed App State to pull away.

The 2023-24 season is presented by Hungry Howie's and Penn Station. App State's returns to action next Sunday with a Feb. 18 doubleheader against Bellarmine and No. 9 Cornell.

Results:
125: Chad Bellis (APP) def. #30 Brayden Palmer (UTC), 10-0 maj. dec.
133: #31 Blake Boarman (UTC) def. #23 Ethan Oakley (APP), fall (4:37)
141: #33 Isaiah Powe (UTC) def. Ike Byers (APP), 9-1 maj. dec.
149: #18 Cody Bond (APP) def. Matthew Williams (UTC), 12-2 maj. dec.
157: #21 Tommy Askey (APP) def. Austin Paradice (UTC), 6-3 dec.
165: #21 Will Miller (APP) def. Kamdyn Munro (UTC), 12-4 maj. dec.
174: Sergio Desiante (UTC) def. Luke Uliano (APP), 6-5 dec.
184: Tomas Brooker (APP) def. Ryan Stein (UTC), 15-0 tech fall
197: Carson Floyd (APP) def. Landon Lewis (UTC), 12-3 maj. dec.
HWT: Jacob Sartorio (APP) def. Ethan Vergara (UTC), 8-0 maj. dec.