New Tiebreaker Rules Doom Hoosiers in East Lansing - Indiana Athletics

Jan. 15, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Indiana University wrestling team battled with Michigan State Sunday afternoon, resulting in a 20-20 stalemate. New tiebreaking rules implemented for the 2011-12 season handed the Spartans a 21-20 win, however, as MSU won six of 10 bouts and earned the bonus team point to earn the dual victory.

Taylor Walsh pushed the Cream and Crimson ahead 6-0 in the opening bout, sticking #18 Dan Osterman in the first period. It marked Walsh's 10th fall and third victory over a nationally-ranked opponent this season (he also defeated Osterman earlier this season when he was unranked).

Four bouts later, true freshman Luke Sheridan ended a three-bout winning streak for Michigan State by recording another IU fall and pushing the Hoosiers ahead 12-11. It took Sheridan just 60 seconds to pin his opponent and pick up his second Big Ten win of the weekend.

Fourth-ranked Matt Powless kept it coming in the 197-pound showdown. His 15-6 major decision over Nick McDiarmid increased Indiana's lead to five points at 16-11.

The next three contests all went in favor of Michigan State by a combined five points and extended through two sudden victories. Matt Ortega took the mat for the final bout of the day, slapping a major decision on Andrew Ermatinger and evening the team score at 20-20. The Hoosiers' accumulation of bonus points was not enough though, as the 6-4 wins total gave Michigan State a 21-20 winner.

Complete Results
Indiana 20, Michigan State 21*
149 lbs. - Taylor Walsh (IU) pins #18 Dan Osterman (MSU), 2:14; Team Score: 6-0
157 lbs. - #13 Anthony Jones (MSU) maj. dec. Ryan Konz (IU), 18-6; TS: 6-4
165 lbs. - David Cheza (MSU) maj. dec. Preston Keiffer (IU), 10-1; TS: 6-8
174 lbs. - Curran Jacobs (MSU) dec. Ryan LeBlanc (IU), 4-2; TS: 6-11
184 lbs. - Luke Sheridan (IU) pins Luke Jones (MSU), 1:00; TS: 12-11
197 lbs. - #4 Matt Powless (IU) maj. dec. Nick McDiarmid (MSU), 15-6; TS: 16-11
285 lbs. - #11 Mike McClure (MSU) dec. Adam Chalfant (IU), 3-1 (SV); TS: 16-14
125 lbs. - Eric Olanowski (MSU) dec. Zach Zimmer (IU), 5-3; TS: 16-17
133 lbs. - Terry Tuner (MSU) dec. Joe Duca (IU), 6-4; TS: 16-20
141 lbs. - Matt Ortega (IU) maj. dec. Andrew Ermatinger (MSU), 11-2; TS: 20-20
*Michigan State wins the dual via tiebreaker, winning six of 10 bouts

The newest member of the Big Ten, Nebraska, comes to Bloomington next Friday (Jan. 20) for a 7 p.m. dual. BigTenNetwork.com will be in the house for a live stream of the action.