All rankings according to InterMat
EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 17 Illinois wrestling squad lost to in-state rival No. 15 Northwestern 18-17 via tiebreakers on Friday, Jan. 20. Northwestern had the edge in the third tie breaking criteria of total match points scored outside of pins, 52-46.

The meet started with a couple ranked on ranked wins for the Illini. First at 133 lbs., redshirt sophomore No. 10 Lucas Byrd decisioned No. 13 Chris Cannon 5-2 and clocked in 1:41 of riding time. Next at 141 lbs. redshirt sophomore Danny Pucino upset No. 10 Frankie Tal-shahar 8-6. This put the Illini up 6-0 early.

Illinois next win wouldn't come until the 174-pound bout. Redshirt sophomore No. 10 Edmond Ruth got the technical fall over Ankhaa Enkhmandakh, 16-0 at the 5:28 mark. This is Ruth's 19th straight win and put the Illini back on top 11-10.

No. 26 Dylan Connell (184 lbs.) thrives in the last 15 seconds of the match as this is his third win with a takedown in the last 15 seconds give him the edge. He defeated Jon Halvorsen by decision 3-1. Redshirt junior No. 11 Zac Braunagel built his win streak to seven with a 3-2 decision over No. 29 Andrew Davidson. The Illini led 17-10 at this point.

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The Orange and Blue wrestling team is back home Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. CT from the State Farm Center. It will be Military Appreciation Day in the SFC, the first 200 fans will be rewarded with a special free Illinois Military Appreciation t-shirt.

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