SURPRISE, Ariz. - Vinny Gillespie (Stirling, Scotland) and Barny Thorold (Loughborough, England) of the Drake University men's tennis team fell to USC's Daniel Cukierman and Tanner Smith, 6-4, 6-4 in the Round of 16 doubles action Thursday night at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Fall Championships in Surprise, Ariz.
 
In set one, Gillespie and Thorold trailed at the break, 4-3, and couldn't overcome the deficit as the No. 4 ranked duo of Cukierman and Smith claimed the opening set. In set two, the Bulldogs' pair trailed 2-1 early, but battled back to break at 3-3. However, the Trojans went on to win 6-4 and win the match.
 
The duo qualified for the tournament, hosted in Surprise, Ariz., by advancing to the finals in the ITA Central Regional Championship in October.
 
In the first round of the tournament, Gillespie and Thorold defeated the top-seeded pair of Jack Mingjie and Lin-Will Matheson, from Columbia University, 6-3, 7-6(7).
 
Gillespie and Thorold will play consolation matches following their defeat.