EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 9 Michigan State wrestling team earned it's third Big Ten win of the season Wednesday, edging arch-rival No. 12 Michigan 18-16 at Jenison Wrestling Arena. The win avenges last seasonis 28-15loss to Michigan at Jenison.

As has been the case all season, senior David Morgan, ranked No. 1, and junior Pat McNamara, No. 8, staked the Spartans to an early lead with wins at 118 lbs. and 126 lbs., respectively. Morgan pinned Michiganis JoeWarren at 1:59, and McNamara won an 8-3 decision over Joe Warren to give Michigan State a 9-0 lead.

Michigan managed to win the next three matches by decision, tying the score at nine. Junior Greg DeGrand put Michigan State in the lead again at 158, scoring an 8-3 decision over the Wolverinesi Jason Rawls. Michiganis Jeff Catrabone tied the meet again at 167, defeating Will Hill 4-1 to make the score 12-12 with three matches remaining.

The tide turned in the Spartans favor at 177, however. MSU freshman James Brimm recorded the first Big Ten dual meet win of his career over Joe DeGain, 3-2, and put Michigan State ahead for good. Sophomore Nick Muzashvili followed with an 8-2 win against Ryan Balcom, pushing the score to 18-12 and putting the match out of reach for Michigan. Freshman Matt Lamb avoided being pinned at heavyweight , and the Michigan State won the dual 18-16.

iThis is totally a team effort,i said MSU head coach Tom Minkel. iEverybody did their part tonight. We got a fall from Morgan, and David Hughes and Will Hill wrestled tough and stayed in their matches until the end. But James Brimm and Nick Muzashvili put us over the top,i said Minkel. iThese are two young kids whoive struggled this season, particularly James, but they turned things in our favor tonight. This is just a great win for everyone.i

MSU now stands at 7-5 overall, 3-3 in the Big Ten, having won three of their last four dual meets. Michigan falls to 5-7 on the season, 2-2 in the conference. The Spartans continue a busy week on Sunday, hosting No. 10 Purdue at 1 p.m. at Jenison before heading to Central Michigan to take on the No. 18 Chippewas at 7 p.m.

RESULTS
Running Score                                           MS  UM
118  David Morgan (MSU) pinned Chris Viola (UM) 1:59    6   0
126  Pat McNamara (MSU) dec. Joe Warren (UM) 8-3        9   0
134  Damion Logan (UM) dec. Issac Miller (MSU) 3-2      9   3
142  Corey Grant (UM) dec. Nick Curry (MSU) 5-2         9   6
150  Bill Lacure (UM) dec. David Hughes (MSU) 6-2       9   9
158  Greg DeGrand (MSU) dec. Jason Rawls (UM) 8-2       12  9
167  Jeff Catrabone (UM) dec. Will Hill (MSU) 4-1       12  12
177  James Brimm (MSU) dec. Joe DeGain (UM) 3-2         15  12
190  Nick Muzashvili (MSU) dec. Ryan Balcom (UM) 8-2    18  12
HWT  Airron Ruchardson (UM) dec. Matt Lamb (MSU) 10-1   18  16
                                `           Final Score 18  16