Charleston, S.C. - The Wolfpack of North Carolina State spoiled the opening match at The Citadel Marksmanship Center for the Bulldogs, taking first place in the Southeastern Air Rifle Conference match and the NCAA sectional at the brand new rifle range over the weekend.

N.C. State finished on top with a score of 2293 in the sixth SEARC match of the season, nine points ahead of second-place Birmingham Southern College. The Bulldogs finished third with a score of 2265 while North Georgia College State University, Wofford, Clemson and Mercer rounded out the competitors.

The Citadel coed team bounced back to finish second in the NCAA air rifle sectional as they won a tiebreaker with Birmingham Southern based on center shots. The Wolfpack finished 28 points ahead of the Bulldogs and BSC with a score of 2293. The Citadel men finished sixth in the competition with a score of 2136 while the women placed seventh at 2061. Wofford, Austin Peay and Mercer rounded out the field in the NCAA air rifle match.

N.C. State and The Citadel also competed in a NCAA smallbore match, with the Wolfpack coming out on top with a score of 2247 compared to the Bulldogs' total of 2141.

Evan Rishel fired a personal-best score to lead the Bulldogs individually. There were 54 competitors representing 10 teams and eight colleges at the inaugural match of The Citadel Marksmanship Center.

"It was great to see all of the alumni and family members out to visit our new home," head coach Bill Smith said. "It's a new beginning for a team rich in winning tradition."

The Bulldogs head back out onto the road for a NCAA match this weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Citadel will host the SEARC championships the following weekend on February 25 at The Citadel Marksmanship Center.