SIU Edwardsville @ Kent State

SIU Edwardsville edged Kent State 18-16 in Kent, Ohio on January 17, 2025, pulling out a two-point road victory in a tight dual. The meet came down to bonus points, with a pair of big wins for the Leathernecks ultimately offsetting a late major for the Golden Flashes.

At 125 pounds Drew Davis delivered the biggest swing, overwhelming Gunner Havens 18-3 by technical fall to earn five team points. That dominant result gave SIUE a critical cushion. Later at 157 pounds PJ Murphy added a four-point major decision, beating Aidan Rush 14-3 and extending the Leathernecks’ lead with another bonus score.

Kent State answered back at 197 pounds when Blake Schaffer picked up a 14-3 major over Nick Nosler for four team points, keeping the Golden Flashes within reach. Schaffer’s bonus victory was the clearest momentum shift for Kent State and tightened the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough to overcome SIUE’s earlier bonus production.

In the end the difference was the two bonus-point wins by SIU Edwardsville. Those extra points created just enough separation in what otherwise would have been a one- or two-bout matchup decided by decisions. With the 18-16 final, SIUE left Kent carrying the narrow margin earned by a technical fall and a major decision, while Kent State’s major at 197 prevented a wider gap and made the finish tense.