BISMARCK, N.D. --- The No. 19 Minnesota State wrestling team stayed perfect in dual action Sunday afternoon as it defeated No. 23 U-Mary 23-13.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 3-0 on the season in dual action, including a 2-0 record in NSIC duals. With the loss, the Marauders fall to 3-1 on the season, including a 1-1 NSIC record.

The dual began with MSU and U-Mary exchanging decision victories in the 125 and 133 pound weight classes. MSU sophomore Andrew McFall (125 lbs.) defeated U-Mary's Nate Humann by the score of 6-5, before Tate Barnhardt bested MSU junior George Farmah (133 lbs.) by the score of 3-0. McFall improved to 8-4 on the season, while Farmah fell to 1-3.

Sophomore Louie Sanders (141 lbs.) put the Mavericks out in front 9-3 after his third pinfall victory of the season as he defeated U-Mary's Hunter Eckert at the 2:51 mark of the first round. Sanders improved to 12-3 on the season with the victory.

The Mavericks and Marauders once again exchanged decision victories, this time in the 149 and 157 weight classes. U-Mary's Rudy Guillen earned a 7-6 victory over MSU freshman Kyle Rathman (149 lbs.), before MSU junior Daniel Close (157 lbs.) defeated U-Mary's Jordan Hegel 5-3. Close improved to 11-3 on the season, while Rathman fell to 15-3 as Minnesota State carried a 12-6 lead into the break. U-Mary was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct after the 149 lbs. match.

Back from the break, U-Mary's Phillip Springsteen brought the Marauders back within one point of the Mavericks at 12-11 with a 15-0 tech fall victory in the 165 pound match over MSU senior Dylan Herman (8-5).

The Mavericks would finish the dual strong as they won three of the final four matches, including two by major decisions, to lock down a 23-14 dual victory. 

MSU senior Corey Abernathy (184 lbs.) bested Jackson Schichel 12-0 to improve to 10-1 on the season, while sophomore Matthew Blome (197 lbs.) defeated Emmitt Brooks 12-0 to improve to 8-2 on the season. Sophomore Zach Johnston (174 lbs.) earned a 5-2 decision victory over Austin Eichmann to improve to 11-4 on the season as well.

U-Mary's Dominic Todor scored a 4-1 decision victory over MSU sophomore Logan Linderbaum (HWT) who falls to 7-7 on the season.

Minnesota State returns to action at Taylor Center on Saturday, Jan. 6, as it takes part in the Maverick Duals.

No. 19 Minnesota State (23), No. 23 University of Mary (13)
125 lbs. - Andrew McFall (MSU) Dec. vs. Nate Humann (U-Mary), 6-5 | 3-0
133 lbs. - Tate Barnhardt (U-Mary) Dec. vs. George Farmah (MSU), 3-0 | 3-3
141 lbs. - Louie Sanders (MSU) Fall vs. Hunter Eckert (U-Mary), 2:51 | 9-3 
149 lbs. - Rudy Guillen (U-Mary) Dec. vs. Kyle Rathman (MSU), 7-6 | 9-5 *U-Mary was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct after the match
157 lbs. - Daniel Close (MSU) Dec. vs. Jordan Hegel (U-Mary), 5-3 | 12-5
165 lbs. - Phillip Springsteen (U-Mary) Tech Fall vs. Dylan Herman (MSU), 15-0, 7:00 | 12-10
174 lbs. - Zach Johnston (MSU) Dec. vs. Austin Eichmann (U-Mary), 5-2 | 15-10
184 lbs. - Corey Abernathy (MSU) Major Dec. vs. Jackson Schichel (U-Mary), 12-0 | 19-10 
197 lbs. -  Matt Blome (MSU) Major Dec. vs. Emmitt Brooks (U-Mary), 12-0 | 23-10 
HWT - Dominic Tudor (U-Mary) Dec. vs. Logan Linderbaum (MSU), 4-1 | 23-13

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