Kent State University
Northern Iowa
Flashes Lead Slips Away Against Northern Iowa
2/8/2015 5:24:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, Ohio – In a dual that came down to the final seconds of the heavyweight bout, Northern Iowa topped Kent State 21-16 Sunday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center. An upset at 157 started a streak of four straight victories for the Panthers, who captured six wins on the afternoon.
"As a team, we've had a hard time getting all 10 guys on the same page," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of another close dual loss this season.
The Golden Flashes held a 13-6 lead after four matches as junior Mack McGuire began a streak of three straight Kent State wins with a 4-1 decision over Leighton Gaul. McGuire converted an inside single leg shot into a second period takedown to extend his lead to 3-0. In the third, McGuire threw legs in from the top position and clinched a riding time point.
Senior Tyler Small gave the Flashes their first lead (7-6) with a 10-0 blanking of Jake Hodges. Small scored a takedown on a shrug-by in the opening minute and worked his far-side cradle for three near fall points and a 5-0 lead after one. A reversal to start the third period clinched the major decision.
Junior Mike DePalma then brought the crowd to its feet with a first period pin of Gunnar Wolfensperger. DePalma got in a shot and hoisted Wolfensperger's leg up to finish the takedown. He immediately went to work with his 2-on-1 that flipped Wolfensperger onto his back.
"It seemed like the team was rolling," Andrassy said of Small and DePalma. "That was as good as Mike's wrestled all year. He was in a pretty big funk this year."
Junior Ian Miller dropped his first dual since the season opener in a 5-4 loss to Jarrett Jensen. Miller hit a lightning quick duck under that gave him a 4-1 lead in the first, but he remained stuck on that total for the rest of the match. Miller was called for stalling twice in the second period and a Jensen reversal in the third made the difference.
"Ian just didn't wrestle very well," Andrassy said of the second and third periods. "If you flip that match, we win the dual. It wasn't a good fundamental match for him in a lot of areas he normally does a good job in."
Junior Cole Baxter brought the Flashes within striking distance (18-16) in a 7-3 win over Basil Minto at 197. Baxter worked a first-period front headlock and spun around for a takedown. With an arm bar in, Baxter kept Minto planted on the mat resulting in a pair of stalling calls and a 3-0 lead after one. Another front headlock takedown in the third sealed the victory.
Sophomore Mimmo Lytle gave No. 10 Blaize Cabell everything he could handle in a 7-5 loss. Lytle pushed the pace in the third and scored a takedown with 30 seconds left. After letting Cabell up, Lytle kept his opponent in defensive mode, but was unable to score before the buzzer.
"If Mimmo wrestles the first two periods like he did the third period, he wins the match," Andrassy said.
Kent State (7-12, 3-4 MAC) returns to the M.A.C. Center Friday, Feb. 13, hosting Northern Illinois on Senior Night.
Northern Iowa 21 Kent State 16
125: Dylan Peters (UNI) won by major decision over Del Vinas (KSU), Fall 4:17
133: Mack McGuire (KSU) won by decision over Leighton Gaul (UNI), 4-1
141: Tyler Small (KSU) won by major decision over Jake Hodges (UNI), 10-0
149: Mike DePalma (KSU) won by fall over Gunnar Wolfensperger (UNI), 1:21
157: Jarrett Jensen (UNI) won by decision over Ian Miller (KSU), 5-4
165: Cooper Moore (UNI) won by decision over Tyler Buckwalter (KSU), 7-2
174: Curt Mass (UNI) won by decision over Caleb Marsh (KSU), 6-1
184: Kyle Lux (UNI) won by decision over Jerald Spohn (KSU), 10-5
197: Cole Baxter (KSU) won by decision over Basil Minto (UNI), 7-3
285: Blaize Cabell (UNI) won by decision over Mimmo Lytle (KSU), 7-5
Players Mentioned
