The second-ranked University of Kentucky rifle team nearly overcame a 10-point smallbore deficit but fell just short in the end, taking a tough 6215-6212 loss to top-ranked Alaska-Fairbanks (3-0) Saturday at UK?s Buell Armory. The Cats drop to 6-2 on the season.

UK senior Bradley Wheeldon led the Cats with an 1183 in smallbore and a 395 in air rifle for a match-leading aggregate of 1578.

UK Coach Harry Mullins was disappointed with the loss but encouraged by his team?s performance.

?I?m really proud of our kids. We had some really good performances today, but we still feel like we have some points left in this team. Aside from the loss, I?m very happy with what we did today,? Mullins said.

The Cats return to action on Saturday, Dec. 6 against Texas Christian in Lexington.

AGATE:

 Kentucky Blue Prone Standing Kneeling Total Air Rifle Bradley Wheeldon 398 392 393 1183 395 Lindsey Meagher 397 368 390 1155 Vicki Goss 398 376 393 1167 394 Jeff Hamberg 397 369 389 1155 385 TJ Harris 378 Totals 1590 1505 1565 4660 1552 6212 Alaska-Fairbanks Prone Standing Kneeling Total Air Rifle Joe Hein 397 378 394 1169 Matt Wallace 395 387 389 1171 378 Jaime Beyerle 393 387 391 1171 396 Karl Olssen 398 369 392 1160 378 Matt Rawlings 392 Totals 1583 1521 1566 4671 1544 6215