Cox's Major Decision Helps Tigers Edge Central Michigan
Columbia's hometown kid gets decisive team point as Tigers remain perfect on year with 16-15 victory
Joey Lavallee was the third true freshman to get a dual start this season, getting the nod at 157 pounds
Jan. 19, 2014
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The No. 7 Missouri Tigers slid past conference-rival Central Michigan 16-15 on Sunday afternoon, thanks in large part to a bonus point victory from true freshman J'den Cox. Cox and the Tigers took an early 10-0 lead and never surrendered it to the Chippewas, who found a way to climb back to within a point twice. Both squads won five matches a piece on the afternoon.
Cox (22-2) put up nine quick points versus Jackson Lewis at 197 pounds, thanks to a flurry of backpoints in the first moments of the bout. He added a second-period escape and a point for riding time, taking the match 11-0. Cox's win was his sixth major decision of the season, and his 12th in bonus points.
Junior heavyweight Devin Mellon increased the Tigers lead to 10-0 with an 8-3 decision over Adam Robinson. Mellon looked sharp offensively on Sunday, taking Robinson down three times, including twice in the final minute.
The Chippewas clawed back to within a point after three straight wins at 125, 133 and 141. For the second time this season, Mayes and CMU's Zach Horan found themselves in a nail-biter, with the No. 9-Horan escaping by a two-point takedown. Mayes attempted to throw Horan at the end of overtime, but Horan rolled over the top and secured a takedown in the final seconds to win 3-1. The two met at the Southern Scuffle earlier this season, with Horan escaping in overtime as well, also in a 3-1 decision.
Head Coach Brian Smith opted to remove the redshirt off of freshman Joey Lavallee, who got his first collegiate start at 157 pounds for the Tigers. Lavallee wrestled No. 20 Luke Smith tough, giving up only an escape to Smith in the second. Smith added two backpoints with two seconds remaining in the third, and won by decision, 4-0.
With the Tigers leading by four points heading into the final bout at 174, No. 17 Mikey England faced off with No. 10 Mike Ottinger. Ottinger, looking for bonus points, took England to two overtimes, where he would get the decision 5-4 after 16 seconds of ride time in the two extra periods. The decision fell short, sealing the Tigers 16-15 victory.
Mizzou improves to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in MAC play as they avenge a 17-16 loss to the Chippewas from last year. They will continue conference action next weekend with two duals versus No. 9 Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois.
RESULTS
184: No. 10 John Eblen (MIZZ) won by decision over Craig Kelliher (CMU) 4-0. (3-0 MIZZ)
197: No. 6 J'den Cox (MIZZ) won by major decision over Jackson Lewis (CMU) 11-0. (7-0 MIZZ)
HWT: Devin Mellon (MIZZ) won by decision over Adam Robinson (CMU) 8-3. (10-0 MIZZ)
125: No. 12 Corey Keener (CMU) won by decision over Zach Synon (MIZZ) 6-3. (10-3 MIZZ)
133: No. 16 Joe Roth (CMU) won by decision over Matt Manley (MIZZ) 7-2. (10-6 MIZZ)
141: No. 9 Zach Horan (CMU) won in sudden victory 1 over Lavion Mayes (MIZZ) 3-1. (10-9 MIZZ)
149: No. 1 Drake Houdashelt (MIZZ) won by decision over Scott Mattingly (CMU) 13-6. (13-9 MIZZ)
157: No. 20 Lucas Smith (CMU) won by decision over Joey Lavallee (MIZZ) 4-0. (13-12 MIZZ)
165: No. 8 Zach Toal (MIZZ) won by decision over Nick Becker (CMU) 4-1. (16-12 MIZZ)
174: No. 10 Mike Ottinger (CMU) won in tie breaker 2 over No. 17 Mikey England (MIZZ) 5-4. (16-15 MIZZ)
WHAT'S NEXT
The Tigers will remain in conference action next weekend as they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, and DeKalb, Ill., for duals against Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois. Stay abreast with everything Tiger Style by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and right here on MUTigers.com.
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