QUICK HITS

• Cleveland State claimed a 21-14 MAC win at SIU Edwardsville 
• Sophomore Ben Smith notched a pin at 197 pounds to clinch the dual
• Smith tallied his 20th win of the season in the process
• Redshirt senior Justin Patrick posted his second straight major decision win
• Redshirt senior Evan Cheek posted his team-leading 28th win
• Logan Heil, Riley Smucker and DeAndre Nassar all added wins for CSU
• Both Heil and Nassar came from behind to net their victories
• Smucker has won five straight matches

MATCH RECAP

The Cleveland State University wrestling team jumped out to an early lead and won a few key matches down the stretch to claim a 21-14 win over SIU Edwardsville in Mid-American Conference action Friday evening inside First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.

CSU won the first three bouts to open up a 10-0 lead. However, Cleveland State then found itself up just one point with three bouts left to go, but two Vikings notched wins to seal the deal.

"It was another great team effort from top to bottom," head coach Josh Moore said after securing CSU's seventh win of the season.

True freshman Logan Heil got CSU off to a good start at 125 pounds, but it was not smooth sailing for the rookie. He trailed after one period and was tied, 4-4, after five minutes. Starting in the top position for the third, Heil tallied four crucial back points before adding a point for riding time to post a 9-4 win.

Redshirt senior Justin Patrick contributed his second straight major decision win at 133. He opened up a 6-0 lead after one period on the strength of four back points and would cruise to an 11-1 win.

Redshirt senior Evan Cheek, who was listed among the top 20 in the NCAA rankings released Friday, had a battle at 141 pounds. However, he was able to maintain his composure despite not scoring as much as usual as he held off his foe for a 2-1 win.

The hosts would net wins at 149 and 157 to pull within three points in the team scoring.

Redshirt freshman Riley Smucker remained in fine form at 165 pounds. After a scoreless first, Smucker rode his opponent for the entire second period. He posted an escape and a takedown in the third before adding a point of riding time for a 4-1 win.

After the Cougars claimed a bonus-point win at 174 pounds, Cleveland State led by just a single point.

True freshman DeAndre Nassar came up big for the guests at 184 pounds. He trailed after both the first and second period before rallying to tie the bout, and then take the lead with a takedown, in the third period. He held on for a 6-5 victory.

"DeAndre is a true freshman, but he handles the pressure of big matches like he has been there many times before," Moore said.

Sophomore Ben Smith effectively clinched the dual at 197 pounds as he tallied a pin at the two-minute mark.

"We have been working on cradles this week, and it was nice to see Ben execute one and get the fall," Moore added.

SIUE used a late takedown at heavyweight to claim a two-point win in a bout that turned out to be an inconsequential to the team outcome.

"John Kelbly [at heavyweight] and Gus Sutton [at 149 pounds] wrestled tough matches against nationally ranked competitors and almost pulled the upsets," Moore remarked after those two Vikings lost by a combined five points.

Cheek's win was his team-leading 28th and kept him perfect in dual action (7-0). Smith became the second Viking to reach the 20-win mark and tallied his 13th bonus-point victory.

Heil, who moved to 4-1 in the MAC, and Smucker, who has won five straight, are tied for third on the team with 18 wins each.

Cleveland State will be right back in action Saturday afternoon as it heads to nationally ranked Missouri.

Cleveland State 21, SIU Edwardsville 14
125: Logan Heil (CSU) over Gage Datlovsky (SIUE) - 9-4 dec. | CSU leads, 3-0
133: Justin Patrick (CSU) over Jake Blaha (SIUE) - 11-1 MD | CSU leads, 7-0
141: Evan Cheek (CSU) over Saul Ervin (SIUE) - 2-1 dec. | CSU leads, 10-0
149: Tyshawn Williams (SIUE) over Gus Sutton (CSU) - 9-6 dec. | CSU leads, 10-3
157: Justin Ruffin (SIUE) over Nico O'Dor (CSU) - 9-0 MD | CSU leads, 10-7
165: Riley Smucker (CSU) over Chase Deihl (SIUE) - 4-1 dec. | CSU leads, 13-7
174: Kevin Gschwendtner (SIUE) over Chase Archangelo (CSU) - 10-2 MD | CSU leads, 13-11
1 team point deducted from CSU
184: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) over Ryan Yarnell (SIUE) - 6-5 dec. | CSU leads, 15-11
197: Ben Smith (CSU) over Jake McKiernan (SIUE) - Fall 2:00 | CSU leads, 21-11
285: Colton McKiernan (SIUE) over John Kelbly (CSU) - 3-1 dec. | CSU wins, 21-14