Wrestling | 1/10/2015 6:29:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. – Despite a pin from sophomore Blake Bosch, the Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team came up short against Minnesota State, Mankato on Saturday, falling to the Mavericks 27-12 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the NSIC with the loss while Minnesota State improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the league with the win.

In addition to Bosch's pin at 133, sophomore Isaac Novacek (149) and senior Shawn Porter (184) both had wins by decision for MSUM, which lost three matches by two points or less on the day.

"We need to find a way to win the close matches," MSUM head coach Kris Nelson said. "We're not winning the close matches. We have to have more confidence in our shots, especially when the score is tied or we're behind. We have to be aggressive and take shots."

At 125 pounds, Dragon sophomore Shane Novak was tied at 2-2 with Minnesota State's Da'Wayne Robertson early in the second period but Robertson steadily pulled away and recorded an 18-5 major decision win to give the Mavericks the early 4-0 lead.

Bosch's pin in 3:34 over MSU's Brare Adams put MSUM up 6-4. Bosch was in control from the start and led 7-1 after one period and got Adams to his back early in the second to record the win by fall. Bosch is now 11-5 on the season.

"I was happy with how Blake Bosch wrestled," Nelson said. "That's what we're looking for – guys to be aggressive and take shots on offense."

One of the most competitive matches of the dual came at 141 pounds where Mankato's Alphonso Vruno and MSUM senior Philippe Walker battled hard for three periods. The score was tied at 2-2 after both the first and second periods, and was tied 4-4 late in the third before Vruno scored a late takedown to earn a 6-4 win, putting the Mavericks up 7-6 in the dual.

The Dragons regained the lead at 149 as sophomore Isaac Novacek held on for a 4-3 win over Maverick sophomore Mitchell Hartwig. Novacek led 4-1 heading into the fourth and survived a late rally to improve to 6-5 on the year.

The Mavericks regained the lead at 10-9 when Adam Cooling edged Dragon sophomore Garret Hoffner 3-1 in the 157-pound match. The lead grew to 14-9 when Mankato's Cody Quinn, who is ranked No. 4 in the nation at 165, beat MSUM's Dan Murakami by major decision, 9-1, and Darick Vancura followed with a pin (6:27) of MSUM senior Michael Joseph at 174 to extend the lead to 20-9.

Porter ended the Mavericks' run of three straight wins with a victory at 184 pounds. He topped Mankato freshman Corey Abernathy 9-4 to bring MSUM within 20-12 in the dual.

"Shawn Porter did a good job," Nelson said.

Minnesota State won at 197 in another close match as Scott VanDeLoo edged Chris Bascon, 3-2 to push the lead back to 23-12.

Malcolm Allen, who entered the match with a 24-8 record, topped MSUM's Nader Abdullatif at 285 pounds to finish off the 27-12 Maverick win.

MSUM is back in action against St. John's in a home nonconference dual on Friday at Nemzek Fieldhouse. The Dragons will then host two duals on Jan. 17 when they host Upper Iowa and Jamestown.

"We'll get back to the practice room on Monday and work on things," Nelson said.

Minnesota State 27, MSU Moorhead 12
125-Da'Wayne Robertson (MSU) maj. dec. Shane Novak, 18-5
133-Blake Bosch (MSUM) pinned Brare Adams, 3:34
141-Alphonso Vruno (MSU) dec. Philippe Walker, 6-4
149-Isaac Novacek (MSUM) dec. Mitchell Hartwig, 4-3
157-Adam Cooling (MSU) dec. Garret Hoffner, 3-1
165-Cody Quinn (MSU) maj. dec. Dan Murakami, 9-1
174-Darick Vancura (MSU) pinned Michael Joseph, 6:27
184-Shawn Porter (MSUM) dec. Corey Abernathy, 9-4
197-Scott VanDeLoo (MSU) dec. Chris Bascon, 3-2
285-Malcolm Allen (MSU) maj. dec. Nader Abdullatif, 11-1