FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State won six of the first seven bouts including a forfeit and a fall to defeat Fresno State 28-7 in a Big 12 Conference dual before 534 spectators on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Scheels Center. The Bison extended their win streak to four matches.
 
NDSU (7-3, 4-1 #Big12WR) is scheduled to host No. 21 Stanford (8-2, 1-1 Pac-12) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and Air Force at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, for Senior Day. Both matches are in Scheels Center.
 
While 125-pounder McGwire Midkiff received a forfeit, North Dakota State No. 10-ranked 133 Cam Sykora (10-4, 6-3) outlasted Lawrence Saenz 14-8 and 141 Dylan Droegemueller (11-6, 3-2) punished Gary Joint in a 10-0 major decision. That put the Bison ahead 13-0
 
Fresno State (9-8, 4-2 #Big12WR) broke the early run with No. 29-ranked 149 Greg Gaxiola's 3-1 sudden victory-1 decision over Jaden Van Maanen. Despite forfeiting two weights, the Bulldogs won 22-19 against Wyoming in Laramie on Thursday night.
 
North Dakota State started rolling again as No. 16-ranked 157-pounder Jared Franek recorded a hard-fought 3-2 decision over No. 14 Jacob Wright. Franek notched a first period takedown and third period escape. Franek improved to 20-6 overall and 8-2 in duals, becoming the first Bison to reach 20 wins. He is now 5-6 against nationally-ranked opponents.
 
The NDSU lead grew to 22-3 when No. 10-ranked 165 Andrew Fogarty muscled his way to his seventh pin of the season at 5:54 over Ricky Padilla. Fogarty won for the 16th time in 18 outings and has won all nine dual matches.
 
Versatile Luke Weber moved up to 174 pounds for North Dakota State and posted a 10-3 decision over Brandon Martino. Weber jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first period thanks to a 4-point near fall. He closed with a 2-point near fall. Weber is now 13-7 overall, 2-0 in duals.
 
Cordell Eaton picked up the final NSDU win with a 4-2 decision over Dominic Kincaid at 197 pounds.
 
Fresno State No. 9-ranked heavyweight Josh Hokit had his hands full with No. 27 Brandon Metz, but scored three points in the second period on an escape and takedown. Hoskit held on for a 4-2 decision. The Bulldogs were penalized two team points for unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the dual.
 
North Dakota State 28, Fresno State 7
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020
Scheels Center, Fargo, N.D
125— McGwire Midkiff (NDSU), Forfeit
133— #10 Cam Sykora (NDSU) dec Lawrence Saenz (FSU), 14-8
141— Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) major dec Gary Joint (FSU), MD 10-0
149— #29 Greg Gaxiola (FSU) sudden victory-1 Jaden Van Maanen (NDSU), SV-1 3-1
157— #16 Jared Franek (NDSU) dec #14 Jacob Wright (FSU), 3-2
165— #10 Andrew Fogarty (NDSU) fall Ricky Padilla (FSU), 5:54
174— Luke Weber (NDSU) dec Brandon Martino (FSU), 10-3
184— Hunter Cruz (FSU) dec Noah Cressell (NDSU), 5-2
197— Cordell Eaton (NDSU) dec Dominic Kincaid (FSU), 4-2
285— #9 Josh Hokit (FSU) #27 dec #27 Brandon Metz (NDSU), 4-2
*--Fresno State deducted 2 team points unsportsmanlike conduct
Attendance—534
Referee—Angel Rivera
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