After exchanging wins to start the dual, two straight Badger victories put Wisconsin (3-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) up 13-6. The Panthers (3-2) wouldn't go down without a fight, however, as back-to-back UNI wins cut UW's lead down to 13-12 with two bouts left. With the Panthers dangerously close to stealing the win, Ricky Robertson and Connor Medbery got the job done as each dominated to record a tech fall and seal the 23-12 win.
"Our guys bounced back from Friday, a good Big Ten win there, but didn't look like we really, really wrestled," UW head coach Barry Davis said. "We came out a lot better today and a lot more aggressive, so it was good."
Sixteenth-ranked Robertson never let up to secure a 17-0 tech fall and give the Badgers pivotal bonus points. Robertson recorded four nearfall points in the second period to push the score to 8-0. After recording four more nearfall points midway through the third, Robertson knew the tech fall was within reach.
Medbery's match followed suit, as he jumped out to a 6-0 lead entering the third period. Living up to his second-place ranking, Medbery dominated the third period to register the tech fall victory in 7:00 and move to 10-0 on the season.
Thanks to TJ Ruschell and Isaac Jordan, the Badgers grabbed a seven-point lead after the intermission.
UW's 157-pounder Ruschell recorded a takedown late in the first period and received two nearfall points in the third to win by a 4-0 decision.
In a tough matchup between No. 3 Jordan and No. 14 Bryce Steiert, it all came down to the third period as a takedown by Steiert tied it up at 4-4 with just 1:24 remaining. Jordan fought back to record a reversal, but a Steiert escape with 22 seconds left cut Jordan's lead to 6-5. As time wound down, Jordan maintained his lead and a riding time advantage helped him come away with the 7-5 decision and to improve to 13-1 on the season.
Eli Stickley gave the Badgers their first win of the day in thrilling fashion. Down 5-2 after the first period, Stickley roared back against No. 16 Josh Alber as a takedown and riding time tied it up at 6-6 at the end of regulation. With the Field House fired up and both benches on their feet, Stickley got a takedown to earn the 8-6 sudden victory upset.
141-pouder Cole Martin scored four crucial points for the Badgers thanks to his 9-1 major decision victory. After a scoreless first two periods, No. 14 Martin delivered in the third after a reversal put him on the board first.
Coming off Martin's dominant third period, No. 20 Andrew Crone faced No. 16 Max Thomsen in an exciting 149-pound bout. Thomsen led 7-3 with just 1:32 remaining, but Crone refused to let up as he recorded three takedowns to tie it up at 9-9 in what looked to be an impressive comeback. With riding time in favor of Thomsen, however, the Panthers squeaked by with a 10-9 decision.
Hunter Ritter tallied a takedown just eight seconds into his match against No. 16 Drew Foster and maintained his lead until a Foster escape tied it up at 5-5 with 1:50 remaining. Another takedown set up Ritter for the upset, but Foster recorded a takedown of his own with 16 seconds remaining to come away with the tight 8-7 decision.
Up against third-ranked Dylan Peters, Lantz held a 4-3 lead in the second period but a takedown and reversal by Peters gave the Panthers the 8-5 decision to start the dual.
174-pounder Ryan Christensen tallied three escapes against No. 11 Taylor Lujan but ultimately lost 10-3.
"We had our revenge from them a couple years ago, so good win to go into the break right now," Davis said. "We still have to work on a few things and get better for certain situations."
The Badgers will get back to action at the Midlands Championships from Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Illinois, to wrap up their tournament slate.
Results:
125: Peters (UNI) wins by Dec. over Lantz (WIS), 8-5
133: Stickley (WIS) wins by SV-1 over Alber (UNI), 8-6
141: Martin (WIS) wins by MD over Hodges (UNI), 9-1
149: Thomsen (UNI) wins by Dec. over Crone (WIS), 10-9
157: Ruschell (WIS) wins by Dec. over Moore (UNI), 4-0
165: Jordan (WIS) wins by Dec. over Steiert (UNI), 7-5
174: Lujan (UNI) wins by Dec. over Christensen (WIS), 10-3
184: Foster (UNI) wins by Dec. over Ritter (WIS), 8-7
197: Robertson (WIS) wins by TF over Bartel (UNI), 17-0
Hwt: Medbery (WIS) wins by TF over Everard (UNI), 15-0
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