Husker Grapplers Upset by No. 17 Missouri, 24-16
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Nebraska (Sports Information)
12/15/2001
Lincoln, Neb. - The ninth-ranked Nebraska wrestling team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday as 17th-ranked Missouri won its first Big 12 conference dual in school history, 24-16, in front of 536 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers drop to 5-1, while Mizzou improved to 5-0 with the win. NU fell behind early as heavyweight redshirt freshman Mitch Manstedt was pinned in 1:32 by 20th-ranked Kevin Herron, giving the Tigers an early 6-0 lead. The Huskers rebounded at 125 and 133 pounds to take a 9-6 lead with wins from fifth-ranked Jason Powell and sophomore Joey Malia. Powell improved to 14-1 on the year with a 5-1 win over Mark Bader, while Malia picked up his third fall of the season, pinning Chris McCormick in just one minute and five seconds. Mizzou regained the lead with a pair of wins at 141 and 149 pounds, before senior Bryan Snyder tied the dual at 13-13, with a 22-9 major decision over 19th-ranked Kenny Burleson at 157 pounds, upping his season record to 16-0. Each of Snyder's 16 wins this season have gone for bonus points (six technical falls, five pins and five major decisions). But the Tigers took control of the dual by winning three of the final four bouts of the evening as MU won its first conference dual since January of 1994, a 20-19 victory over Big Eight-foe Oklahoma. Nebraska returns to dual action Thursday, Jan. 3, against Oregon. The dual will start at 2 p.m. and will be held in the Bob Devaney Sports Center Track Area.