DENVER – No. 12 Midwestern State dropped tiebreakers in a pair of singles matches and one doubles match to fall short of an upset win to No. 7 Saint Leo (Fla.) Sunday evening as the Lions escaped with a 7-2 win at the Regency Athletic Complex.

Senior Zack Santagate and freshman Dillon Pineda gave Midwestern State (6-3) an early 1-0 advantage in doubles play as the duo cruised to an 8-1 victory on court two. After the Lions evened up the match at 1-all, junior Chris Norrie and freshman Radu Popa dropped a heartbreaking 9-8 (4) decision on court three as Saint Leo (12-1) took a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.

The Mustangs recorded first set wins on four courts to open singles, but No. 13 Alex Theiler earned a straight-set win over No. 39 Ramon Toyos at No. 2 and 19th-ranked Egor Panyushkin rallied back to take a 7-6 (4) third set victory over Popa on court three to give the Lions a 4-1 lead.

No. 3 Alberto Barroso-Campos clinched the match for Saint Leo at the top position, overcoming a first set tiebreaker defeat to win 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-3 over No. 27 Kyle Davidson.

Norrie snapped the Lions win streak in singles play, defeating Elliot Carnello on court four, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, to move to 6-2 on the season. 

Saint Leo ended the match with Oskar Nurmio earning a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Dylan Hall at No. 5 singles before Fons Varberne escaped with a narrow 1-6, 6-4, 11-9 victory at No. 6 over Pineda.

Midwestern State returns to the courts Monday at 10 a.m. with a matchup against No. 2 Hawaii Pacific at the Regency Athletic Complex.

No. 7 Saint Leo 7, No. 12 Midwestern State 2
Mar. 20, 2016 at Denver, Colo. (Regency Athletic Complex)

Singles Competition
1. No. 3 Alberto Barroso-Campos (SLU) def. No. 27 Kyle Davidson (MSU) 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 6-3
2. No. 13 Alex Theiler (SLU) def. No. 39 Ramon Toyos (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
3. No. 19 Egor Panyushkin (SLU) def. Radu Popa (MSU) 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Chris Norrie (MSU) def. Elliot Carnello (SLU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
5. Oskar Nurmio (SLU) def. Dylan Hall (MSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Fons Varberne (SLU) def. Dillon Pineda (MSU) 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9) 

Doubles Competition
1. No. 7 Alberto Barroso-Campos/Alex Theiler (SLU) def. No. 20 Kyle Davidson/Ramon Toyos (MSU) 8-3
2. Zack Santagate/Dillon Pineda (MSU) def. Francisco Aparicio/Fons Varberne (SLU) 8-1
3. Egor Panyushkin/Jaime Bueno (SLU) def. Radu Popa/Chris Norrie (MSU) 9-8 (7-4) 
 
Match Notes:
Saint Leo 12-1; National ranking #7
Midwestern State 6-3; National ranking #12
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,3,1,4,6,5)