OREM, Utah – With Utah Valley State down by one point with two matches to go, Ben Wiscombe and Ivan Bigney won their matches to secure a Wolverine victory over Adams State College, 22-15, Friday night in the Activity Center.

After the 165-pound match the Grizzlies of Adams State took their first lead of the dual 15-14, fighting back from a 10-0 deficit. 

The 10-0 UVSC advantage came off three straight victories. Lead off wrestler and 197-pounder, Darren Cooper won by major decision 15-4, heavyweight Billy Green snuck by with a 7-6 decision and 125-pounder Ryan Argyle also slipped by with 9-7 decision.

Just as the Wolverines looked like they would break the dual open, Erkin Tadzhimetov and Justin Rawle lost by decisions which allowed ASC back in the meet.

ASC then took two out of the next three matches by major decision to take the 15-14 lead. The dual lay in the hands of Wiscombe and Bigney, and they delivered.

Wiscombe wore ASC grappler James Reynolds down and edged him out in a 9-6 decision to give UVSC a 17-15 cushion. 

With the dual still in doubt Bigney didn't waste time on his 184-pound competitor. He recorded two quick takedowns to take an early 4-0 advantage in the match. ASC wrestler Casey Woodall battled back with a takedown of his own cutting Bigney's lead to 4-2. Bigney continued to be aggressive and took an 8-3 lead with :50 seconds left in the second period. With the help of the 400-plus fans behind him, Bigney eventually bested Woodall with a 15-7 major decision victory.

The Wolverines will host the University of Northern Colorado Saturday night at 7:00 pm in the Activity Center. UNC is also in its first year of NCAA Division I competition making the jump from the D2 level. UVSC is the first school ever to make the jump from junior college to NCAA Division I.

FINAL RESULTS
Utah Valley State defeated Adams State College 22-15 

197-Darren Cooper (UV) major dec. Manny Pacillias (ASC), 15-4 
HWT-Billy Green (UV) dec. Dustin Sullivan (ASC), 7-6 
125-Ryan Argyle (UV) dec. Rob McCabe (ASC), 9-7 
133-Kortney Lake (ASC) dec. Erkin Tadzhimetov (UV), 3-2 
141-Adam Marse (ASC) dec. Justin Rawle (UV), 9-3
149-Mitch Morgan (UV) major dec. Brandon Meis (ASC), 11-3 
157-Travis Koppenhafer (ASC) major dec. Wayne Watts (UV), 11-3
165-Scott Cleve (ASC) major dec. Tanner Cowan (UV), 13-5
174-Ben Wiscombe (UV) dec. James Reynolds (ASC), 9-6
184-Ivan Bigney (UV) major dec. Casey Woodall (ASC), 15-7