Wrestling | 2/6/2020 9:02:00 PM

MANKATO, Minn. — Senior Zach Scott defeated the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the nation, but it wasn't enough for the Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team fell to No. 17 Minnesota State, Mankato 36-12 in action Thursday night in Mankato, Minn.

Scott's win at 149 highlighted the night for MSUM. He improved to 17-11 with a pin of No. 3-ranked Kyle Rathman in 6:12 to get the Dragons on the board in the dual. MSU won by technical fall at 125 and by forfeit at 133 and 141 to build a 17-0 lead; Scott's pin brought MSUM within 17-6.

The Mavericks won by fall at 157 but sophomore Braydon Ortloff responded for MSUM with a 9-7 decision over Logan Saltou at 165.

"It was good to see guys continue to wrestle hard for the full seven minutes at 149 and 165 and come from behind to get wins," MSUM head coach Kris Nelson said.

MSU won the next three matches, although Dragon sophomore Evan Foster battled No. 10 Zach Johnston tough at 174 before falling 8-6. The Mavericks won by major decision at 184 and by fall at 197 to make it 36-6.

"Evan Foster wrestled a hard-fought match at 174 and we feel as a staff that he will only improve going up to the regional tournament," Nelson said.

Junior Jordan Magnuson continues to wrestle well, improving to 9-4 with a 3-1 win over Max Villnow at 285.

The Dragons return home on Feb. 13 to host UMary for Senior Night. Scott and fellow senior Logan Rhode will be honored that night.

"As a team we need to have more of a sense of urgency and not be afraid to take shots when in the neutral position," Nelson said. "We also need to work on getting out on the bottom and not getting broken down so easy. I feel our shape is good but we need to wrestle more aggressive and use conditioning to our favor."

No. 17 MSU Mankato 36, MSU Moorhead 12
125-Trenton McManus (MSU) tech fall Cameron Williams, 19-4
133-Lucas Hagel (MSU) won by forfeit
141-No. 9 Louis Sanders (MSU) won by forfeit
149-Zach Scott (MSUM) pinned No. 3 Kyle Rathman, 6:12
157-Cooper Siebrecht (MSU) pinned Tell Ward, 5:58
165-Braydon Ortloff (MSUM) dec. Logan Saltou, 9-7
174-No. 10 Zach Johnston (MSU) dec. Evan Foster, 8-6
184-Trevor Turriff (MSU) maj. dec. Steven Abbott, 24-11
197-Matthew Blome (MSU) pinned Logan Rhode, 0:23
285-Jordan Magnuson (MSUM) dec. Max Villnow, 3-1