CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State University wrestling team evenly split 10 dual bouts with visiting Central Michigan, but the Chippewas used bonus points to claim a 21-15 victory in Mid-American Conference action Friday evening inside Woodling Gymnasium.

In what was CSU's first official MAC dual of the season, the Vikings faced an opponent that was nationally ranked or receiving votes for the third time running.

After Central Michigan claimed the bout at 125 pounds, sophomore Logan Heil got CSU on the board with his effort at 133. In a bout that featured four total reversals, two by each competitor, it was a third-period takedown by Heil that turned a one-point deficit into what proved to be a one-point victory.

Central Michigan would claim the 141-pound bout to extend its lead in the team score.

Redshirt sophomore Marcus Robinson was in control for most of the match at 149 pounds but had to hang on late. Leading, 8-3, in the third period, Robinson's opponent earned a reversal to cut the margin to three points. However, Robinson refused to yield any back points and was able to hang on for the win.

A pair of losses at 157 and 165 pounds by a combined three points proved to be the Vikings' undoing—flipping either of those results would have handed the dual to the hosts.

A point for riding time was all that separated the competitors at 157 while the bout at 165 was scoreless after two periods, but CMU was able to pull out a close win.

Redshirt freshman Anthony Rice got the Viking comeback attempt rolling at 174 pounds. He got out to an 8-2 lead after the opening period after registering a four-point near fall effort in the frame. Rice was able to keep his opponent from registering any offensive points throughout the match and held on for the win.

Trailing, 1-0, after two periods at 184, sophomore DeAndre Nassar posted an escape and then secured the lone takedown of the bout in the final frame to claim a win.

Junior Ben Smith upset a nationally ranked opponent at 197 pounds and got the win the hard way. After being on the defensive for much of the opening period, Smith trailed 2-1 after three minutes. However, he found another gear in the second period, netting a takedown and two back points—just missing a pin—to take the lead. Smith's escape point was the only scoring of the final frame and he would claim a 6-4 victory.

The CSU comeback made it so that the winner of the heavyweight bout would claim the team win. However, All-American Matt Stencel, the third reigning All-American in CMU's lineup, would claim the win at 285 to ensure the victory for the Chippewas.

In addition to the dual, the teams contested 14 'extra matches' on the evening.

Rice, who notched his first career dual win earlier in the evening, would finish the night 2-0 after he posted a 7-1 victory in one of those extra matches.

Redshirt freshman Joseph Caprella (141) and true freshmen Daniel Bucknavich (285), Pino Dipierro (125) and Jake Manley (125) each earned a victory in the extra matches.

Nassar's win was his team-leading fifth of the season while Smith's upset marked his first dual win of the shortened campaign.

Cleveland State is scheduled to return to action next Sunday, Feb. 14, when it travels to in-state foe Ohio.

Central Michigan 21, Cleveland State 15
125: Drew Hildebrandt (CMU) over Jake Manley (CSU) – Fall 1:45 | CMU leads, 6-0
133: Logan Heil (CSU) over Brock Bergelin (CMU) – 7-6 dec. | CMU leads, 6-3
141: Dresden Simon (CMU) over Joseph Caprella (CSU) – 16-1 TF 4:42 | CMU leads, 11-3
149: Marcus Robinson (CSU) over Corbyn Munson (CMU) – 8-5 dec. | CMU leads, 11-6
157: Johnny Lovett (CMU) over Daniel Patten (CSU) – 3-2 dec. | CMU leads, 14-6
165: Alex Cramer (CMU) over Riley Smucker (CSU) – 3-1 dec. | CMU leads, 17-6
174: Anthony Rice (CSU) over Jake Lowell (CMU) – 8-4 dec. | CMU leads, 17-9
184: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) over Ben Cushman (CMU) – 3-2 dec. | CMU leads, 17-12
197: Ben Smith (CSU) over Landom Pelham (CMU) – 6-4 dec. | CMU leads, 17-15
285: Matt Stencel (CMU) over John Kelbly (CSU) – 13-3 MD | CMU wins, 21-15

Extra Matches
125: Pino Dipierro (CSU) over Vince Perez (CMU) – 8-4 dec.
125: Jake Manley (CSU) over Vince Perez (CMU) – 7-4 dec.
133: Drew Marten (CMU) over Cody Moosman (CSU) – 16-0 TF
133: Drew Marten (CMU) over Pino Dipierro (CSU) – 15-0 TF
141: Hunter Watts (CMU) over Jack Gorman (CSU) – 7-4 dec.
141: Joseph Caprella (CSU) over Hunter Watts (CMU) – 14-7 dec.
149: Mason Breece (CMU) over Ryan Granger (CSU) – Fall 2:11
149: Mason Breece (CMU) over Marcus Robinson (CSU) – 3-1 dec.
157: Tracy Hubbard (CMU) over Caleb Cass (CSU) – 14-5 MD
157: Tracy Hubbard (CMU) over Daniel Patten (CSU) – 3-1 SV-1
174: Anthony Rice (CSU) over Ryan Ringler (CMU) – 7-1 dec.
184: Ryan Ringler (CMU) over Gabe Phillips (CSU) – 3-2 dec.
197: Sage Castillo (CMU) over Justin Jaeckin (CSU) – Fall 4:13
285: Daniel Bucknavich (CSU) over Cade Dallwitz (CMU) – 3-2 dec.