Rider @ Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois edged Rider 20-19 in DeKalb, Ill., on Nov. 22, 2024, in a dual that came down to bonus points. Northern Illinois collected two major decisions early in the lineup and a match-clinching fall that proved to be the difference in a one-point win.

Blake West at 125 delivered an 8-0 major decision over Will Betancourt, and Markel Baker followed with a 19-5 major over Nieko Malone, providing eight team points via majors for the Huskies. Those bonus points kept Northern Illinois within striking distance as Rider piled up offensive results.

Rider answered with three high-scoring bonus victories of its own. Colton Washleski scored a 17-6 major at 157, Michael Wilson posted a 17-3 major at 174, and Isaac Dean turned in a 20-4 technical fall at 184, combining to swing momentum and nearly erase the Huskies’ cushion.

In the end the dual hinged on the heavyweight bout. Spencer Mooberry secured a fall over Steyn De Lange, the pin generating six team points and tipping the score in Northern Illinois’ favor. With bonus-point swings on both sides and multiple majors and a tech fall, that fall was the decisive play in a tightly contested MAC matchup.