No. 9 Ohio State Defeats No. 13 Northwestern, 21-12

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 9th-ranked Ohio State wrestling team improved to 7-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten Conference with a 21-12 win over No. 13 Northwestern Friday night at Cincinnati Moeller High School. The Buckeyes won six matches, including a technical fall by redshirt-junior Logan Stieber (141 pounds) and major decision by redshirt-sophomore Kenny Courts(184 pounds).

The Buckeyes will return to St. John Arena Jan. 24 for a 7 p.m. match vs. No. 7 Nebraska. The match vs. the Cornhuskers will be streamed live on BTN.com.

Three consecutive victories between 125-141 pounds lifted the Scarlet and Gray to an 11-0 lead. Nick Roberts, a redshirt-freshman 125-pounder who is ranked No. 18 in the nation, handed Garrison White a 13-9 setback. Roberts owned a 12-2 lead after the second period before White held Roberts scoreless in the third period and recorded seven points in the final period. However, Roberts held on for the victory and gave Ohio State a 3-0 advantage.

Up next at 133 pounds, No. 5 Johnni DiJuliusedged Dominick Malone, 7-3. Down 2-0 early in the first period, DiJulius, a redshirt-sophomore, answered with a pair of takedowns, two escapes and a riding time of 1:33 en route to victory.

Stieber then propelled the Buckeyes to their 11-0 lead after he recorded a 15-0 technical fall vs. Pasquale Greco. 

Ohio State suffered losses between 149-165 pounds before winning the next three bouts from 174-197 pounds. Senior and No. 18 Ian Paddock lost a close 6-4 decision to No. 4 Jason Tsirtsis, while redshirt-junior Randy Languis fell to Ben Sullivan, 6-2. JuniorJoe Grandominicodropped a 10-3 decision to No. 9 Pierce Harger.

The Buckeyes were able to answer the Wildcats run starting with a 4-3 win by No. 17 and sophomore Mark Martinover No. 9 Lee Munster at 174 pounds. Down 3-2 in the final seconds of the third period, Martin scored a takedown to secure the win and the 14-9 Ohio State lead.

Courts, ranked eighth, tallied 18 points en route to an 18-4 major decision over Jacob Berkkowitz in the 184-pound match-up.

Senior and eighth-ranked Nick Heflingave the Scarlet and Gray their final win of the evening with his 13-6 decision vs. No. 17 Alex Polizzi at 197 pounds. Up 8-4 entering the third period, Heflin scored another pair of takedowns and compiled 1:13 of riding time in the win.

In the final bout of the evening, redshirt-freshman and heavyweight Nick Tavanello dropped a 6-2 decision to No. 4 Mike McMullan.