COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team grabbed an early lead Sunday against #3 Missouri, but ultimately suffered a 32-12 loss to the nationally-ranked Tigers.
 
Derek Elmore (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem) got the Huskies (8-10, 0-4 MAC) out to a quick 6-0 lead with a pin. However, Missouri (17-0, 5-0 MAC) captured eight of the next nine bouts, with Trace Engelkes (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) claiming the only other NIU win with a pin at 174.
 
"We competed hard and fought through some adversity this match," said NIU Head Coach Ryan Ludwig. "Trace and Derek wrestled well in that they instilled their plan from the first whistle. There were some hotly-contested bouts that we will get straightened out by focusing on situational details. We will be off the road for a week to get some good training in before our next home dual."
 
Elmore put NIU on the board first by sticking Chase Brennan within the first minute of the 125 match. After Brennan attempted a single-leg takedown, the Huskie senior countered by grabbing Brennan's ankle and flipping him over for an easy pin and a 6-0 lead.
 
Yet, Missouri quickly came back, as Danny Carlson (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) suffered a 9-0 loss to Zach Synon at 133. Moments later, Tyler Argue (Matteson, Ill./Mt. Carmel) fought hard with seventh-ranked Lavion Mayes at 141, but a takedown and two nearfall points late in the third period clinched a 6-1 win for Mayes and a 7-6 lead for the Tigers.
 
Missouri continued to add to its lead when Austin Culton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) lost to LeRoy Barnes in a 6-0 decision at 149. At 157, Andrew Morse (Alto, Mich./Lowell) dropped a 8-2 contest to #11 Joey LaVallee, while Shaun'Qae McMurtry (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Twp.) was dealt a 6-2 loss by Mikey England at 165 for a 16-6 Tiger lead.
 
Engelkes, though, put the Huskies back within reach at 174 pounds. Facing Cody Johnston, two takedowns and two nearfall points put the Winnebago, Illinois, native out to a 10-2 lead after the first period. Engelkes finished the job in the second period, flipping Johnston for a pin and getting NIU to within 16-12.
 
However, Missouri ended any doubt of an upset in the final three weights. Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) was pinned in the first period by #14 Willie Miklus, while Alec Brown (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) found a similar fate against #2 J'Den Cox at 197. Rounding out the day was Jake Cochrane (Island Lake, Ill./Carmel Catholic), who lost a 10-2 major decision at heavyweight to #16 Devin Mellon.
 
#3 Missouri 32, NIU 12
125: Derek Elmore (NIU) pins Chase Brennan (MU), 0:53
133: Zach Synon (MU) maj. dec. Danny Carlson (NIU), 9-0
141: #7 Lavion Mayes (MU) dec. Tyler Argue (NIU), 6-1
149: LeRoy Barnes (MU) dec. Austin Culton (NIU), 6-0
157: #11 Joey LaVallee (MU) dec. Andrew Morse (NIU), 8-2
165: Mikey England (MU) dec. Shaun'Qae McMurtry (NIU), 6-2
174: Trace Engelkes (NIU) pins Cody Johnston (MU), 3:50
184: #14 Willie Miklus (MU) pins Quinton Rosser (NIU), 1:08
197: #2 J'Den Cox (MU) pins Alec Brown (NIU), 2:16
285: #16 Devin Mellon (MU) maj. dec. Jake Cochrane (NIU), 10-2
 
NIU is back in action Friday, Feb. 6 when they host Eastern Michigan in Victor E. Court. The dual between the Huskies and Eagles is set for a 7 p.m. start and will be broadcast on ESPN3.