In the equivalent of double overtime, No. 1 Kentucky Rifle (8-0, 4-0) persevered against No. 8 Georgia Southern (7-3-1, 3-0) with a stirring 4,742 aggregate score.

A tie-breaking procedure decided the match, where both teams scored 4,742. The first tiebreaker is the number of center shots the team totaled. However, both universities were deadlocked at 343 centers.

The next tiebreaker is the total aggregate score of the fifth shooter in each gun. Once those scores were totaled up, it made it 1,175 for Kentucky and 1,167 for Georgia Southern, extending the Wildcat’s unbeaten streak to eight. 

The team’s outing was highlighted by sophomore Braden Peiser, who was the top performer of the day with a dignified aggregate score of 1,194 and 89 total centers.

Peiser excelled in both smallbore and air rifle events, scoring a 595 in smallbore (with a perfect 200 in standing) and a masterclass 599 in air rifle.

Junior standout Sofia Ceccarello followed closely, finishing second in individual aggregate with a score of 1,188 and 92 centers, while freshman Liz Probst earned a 1,181-aggregate accompanied by 86 centers.

In the smallbore event, Peiser led the team with a score of 595, supported by Ceccarello’s 592 and Probst’s 587. Freshman Sam Adkins contributed a score of 586, and fellow freshman Brandon Evans added 583 while senior Allison Buesseler rounded out the scoring with 580.

Peiser topped the charts again in air rifle with a 599 score that included 54 centers. Peiser was followed by Ceccarello’s 596 and Probst’s 594. Buesseler scored 593 with 40 centers, Adkins shot 592 with 47 centers and Evans finished with 586 and 33 centers. 

Georgia Southern was led by sophomore Bremen Butler and junior Emma Pohlmann, who both finished with a 1,186-aggregate score. 

In smallbore, sophomore Ella Goldfaden took charge with a score of 589 and 34 centers. In air rifle, it was Pohlmann who stood toe to toe with Kentucky’s Peiser and matched his 599. 

The Wildcats will continue their season on Sunday, Jan. 19, when they make the trip west to Murray, Kentucky to compete in the Withrow Invitational against Murray State. Kentucky will remain in Murray to take on Memphis the following day.