MINOT, N.D. -- Although closely contested matches were abundant on Thursday night in Minot, the MSU Moorhead wrestling team fell short against Minot State. The Beavers defeated the Dragons in NSIC dual action 34-5.

Five of the 10 matches were decided by three or less points. Unfortunately for MSUM, all five went Minot State's way, despite a hard-fought Dragon effort. 

Clayson Mele racked up nearly two minutes of riding time against Oscar Nellis to open the dual. That one-point advantage proved valuable as Mele needed it to take Nellis to a sudden victory overtime period. Mele would fall in that sudden victory period, 9-7. Hunter Hayes battled in his 141-pound match-up to Ethan Wonser. Hayes scored three escapes in the match, but would not be able to get the takedown needed for a sudden victory period. 

Jacob Davis picked up five pivotal points for the Dragons at 149 pounds against Isaac Ortega. The junior scored a technical fall (23-5) thanks to six takedowns, a reversal and four near fall points. Davis picked up his third win of the year against Ortega.

Jonas Anez would put up a feisty effort against Minot State's Brendan Barnes. The freshman notched three takedowns and two escapes, but was not able to pick up a takedown over Barnes late in the match. Anez fell to Barnes 11-10.

In a defensive battle at 197 pounds, Samuel Grove came up short, 2-0 to Dustin Swisher. In the final match of the evening, Airin Spell put up a massive effort against eighth-ranked Jake Swirple. Both competitors would battle to a 1-1 tie through three periods. Spell would fight Swirple to a tiebreaker period, but was unable to get a needed escape in the sixth and final period. Swirple took the match 4-1. 

Dragons 5, (RV) Beavers 34
Dual began at 125 pounds
125 – Oscar Nellis sudden victory decision over Clayson Mele (9-7, SV: 0:37)
133 – James Davis major decision over Thomas Carrillo (15-7)
141 – Ethan Wonser decision over Hunter Hayes (6-4)
149 – Jacob Davis technical fall over Isaac Ortega (3:00, 23-5)
157 – Nathan Baca pinned Peyton Ringling (2:58)
165 – Brendan Barnes decision over Jonas Anez (11-10)
174 – Brody Mohr decision over Anthony Castro (8-4)
184 – Cayden White pinned Caleb Vacura (3:10)
197 – Dustin Swisher decision over Samuel Grove (2-0)
HWT – #8 Jake Swirple decision over Airin Spell (TB-2, 4-1)

The Dragons (1-6, 0-5 NSIC) are off for the weekend before hosting third-ranked St. Cloud State next week. That dual is set for Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m.