Wrestling | February 20

DeKALB, Ill.—It came down to a tie-breaker as the Northern Illinois University wrestling program fell to the SIUE Cougars in the final dual of the regular season, 16-15. With the loss, the Huskies (9-7, 4-2) take second in the final standings of conference action.
 
Each team won five bouts and the tie-breaker came down to match points. SIUE recorded 42 points to the Huskies 40 to claim the victory.
 
With his 2-0 decision, Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) tied the NIU All-Time Career wins record at 116 wins. West, who is ranked No. 20 by WrestleStat, took on Drew Davis. West ties record with set by Scott Owen (1997, 2000-03). 
 
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport), who holds the No. 16 ranking vs WrestleStat, took on No. 20 (via Intermat) Marcel Lopez at 133 pounds. Baker and Lopez battled before Baker prevailed for his 12th straight win with a 4-2 decision.
 
 "We missed out on a few opportunities to ice that dual. I'm proud of the effort Dawson put forth to pursue that major decision and try to win the dual outright," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We have some corrections to make as we move onto the next thing which is success at the MAC Tournament and ultimately NCAAs."
 
Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra) got a 7-3 decision over Donavon Allen at 149 pounds before SIUE took the next two bouts.
 
Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) went to his fourth sudden victory bout this season against Dominic Lopez. Bennett prevailed in the bout, winning 4-1 to give the Huskies a 12-9 lead at that point.
 
SIUE took the next two bouts at 184 and 197 before Devon Dawson, ranked No. 20 by Intermat, took on Bryson Buhk. Dawson took an early advantage, winning in a 9-7 decision to tie the dual at 15 points all.
 
The Huskies wrestling program returns to the mat, March 6-7, as they compete at the Mid-American Conference Championship     . The championship is hosted by Buffalo this season.
 
Stay up-to-date with all things NIU Wrestling by following the team on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).

 
Dual Results
 
125: No. 20 Blake West (NIU) over Drew Davis (SIUE), W, Dec 2-0
133: No. 16 Markel Baker (NIU) vs No. 20 Marcel Lopez (SIUE), W, Dec 4-2
141: Ben Lunn (SIUE) over Charles Curtis (NIU), W, Dec 9-6
149: Collin Arch (NIU) over Donavon Allen (SIUE), W, Dec 7-3
157: Hayden Whidden (SIUE) over Landen Johnson (NIU), W, Dec 3-1
165: No. 28 Brock Woodcock (SIUE) over Brett Smith (NIU), W, Dec 5-3
174: Tommy Bennett (NIU) over Dominic Lopez (SIUE), W, SV-1, 4-1
184: Deron Pulliam (SIUE) over Ian Smith (NIU), Dec 10-4
197: Nick Nosler (SIUE) over Dominic Heim (NIU), Dec 2-0
285: No. 20 Devon Dawson (NIU) over Bryson Buhk (SIUE), W, Dec 9-7
 
 
Team Score
SIUE 16, NIU 15
SIUE wins via tie breaker, Match Points