Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State wrestling team took to the mats in Taylor Center for the last time this season facing a top-rated St. Cloud State team. The Mavericks fell to the Huskies 19-13 despite holding the lead midway through the dual.

With the loss Minnesota State fell to 5-4 on the season and hold a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record of 3-3. St. Cloud State improves to 17-0 and are 6-0 in NSIC action.

The Mavericks trailed the Huskies 9-7 after the first five matches of the dual. With the day starting at the 141-pound weight class, Daniel Close got the Mavericks going with an upset of #1 Larry Bomstad at 157-pounds. Close started the match with a double-leg takedown and gained nearfall to go up 4-0 after the first 90 seconds. Close rode out the entire third period and earned a 10-2 major decision over Bomstad. 

Zach Johnston upset #3 Kolton Eischens after the Mavericks dropped a decision at the 149-pound weight class. Johnston was dominant throughout the match, earning a takedown in every period, and gaining a riding time point to earn the 11-5 decision. Johnston Improved to 16-5 and is now 9-1 against division II opponents.

Corey Abernathy gave Minnesota State a 10-9 lead over the Huskies with a 2-0 decision over Tyree Overton. Abernathy gained a second period escape and earned two minutes of riding time to defeat Overton. Matthew Blome followed with a decision victory of his own at 197-pounds putting the Mavericks up 13-9. Blome escaped a cross-face cradle and gained a takedown at the edge of the mat to lead 3-1 after two periods. The All-American added another takedown in the third period to win 5-1 over #6 Vince Dietz.

The Mavericks could not continue the momentum they had gained with three consecutive victories, eventually falling in the last three matches, relinquishing their advantage and dropping the dual to the Huskies 19-13.

Minnesota State will close out their NSIC dual schedule away at Northern State, Feb. 8 and Southwest Minnesota State, Feb. 9.

No. 1 St. Cloud State 19, No. 16 Minnesota State 13
141: #3 Jared Oftedahl (SCS) Dec. over Louie Sanders (MSU) 1-0 | SCS 3-0 MSU
149: #1 James Pleski (SCS) Dec. over #11 Kyle Rathman (MSU) 3-1 | SCS 6-0 MSU
157: Daniel Close (MSU) Major Dec. over #1 Larry Bomstad (SCS) 10-2 | SCS 6-4 MSU
165: #6 Travis Holt (SCS) Dec. over Dylan Herman (MSU) OT 6-4 | SCS 9-4 MSU
174: #7 Zach Johnston (MSU) Dec. over #3 Kolton Eischens (SCS) 11-5 | SCS 9-7 MSU
184: #6 Corey Abernathy (MSU) Dec. over Tyree Overton (SCS) 2-0 | MSU 10-9 SCS
197: #9 Matt Blome (MSU) Dec. over #6 Vince Dietz (SCS) 5-1 | MSU 13-9 SCS
285: #10 Lawrence Phillips (SCS) Dec. over Chris Zimmer (MSU) 8-3 | MSU 13-12 SCS
125: #5 Brett Velazquez (SCS) Major Dec. over Andrew McFall (MSU) 11-3 | SCS 16-13 MSU
133: Adam Hedin (SCS) Dec. over George Farmah (MSU) 6-3 | SCS 19-13 MSU