OREM, Utah — South Dakota State (3-6, 2-1 WWC) came up short for in its attempt for a third-straight WWC comeback Thursday night as the Jacks fell to Utah Valley (5-6, 1-0 WWC), 18-15.
In a dual that started at 184 pounds, the score was tied 15-15 headed into the decisive 174-pound bout where Monte Schmalhaus prevailed over John Nething II, 6-2.
After falling behind 6-0, sophomore J.J. Everard pinned Richard Larsen in the 285-pound bout. The fall came with just one second remaining in the first period.
Following three-straight defeats at 125, 133 and 141, Alex Kocer earned his team-leading 23rd win of the year as the redshirt freshman defeated Trevor Wilson, 6-2.
No. 17 Cody Pack earned his seventh dual win of the year by defeating Chase Cuthbertson, 8-5. 165-pound junior Joe Brewster made it three in a row for SDSU with a 4-2 sudden victory win over Curtis Cook to tie the dual and force the winner-take-all bout.
SDSU will continue its west-cost road trip with Sunday in San Luis Obispo, Calif., as the Jacks take on Cal Poly and Stanford at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
Utah Valley 18, South Dakota State 15
184: Ethan Smith (UVU) over Ben Schwery (SDSU) – SV-1, 2-1 (3-0 UVU)
197: Derek Thomas (UVU) over Trey Hable (SDSU) – Dec., 6-4 (6-0 UVU)
285: J.J. Everard (SDSU) fall over Richard Larsen (UVU) – 2:59 (6-6)
125: Jade Rauser (UVU) over Ben Gillette (SDSU) – Dec., 9-4 (9-6 UVU)
133: Chasen Tolbert (UVU) over Brance Simms (SDSU) – Dec., 9-4 (12-6 UVU)
141: Avery Garner (UVU) over Eric Orozco (SDSU) – Dec., 8-4 (15-6 UVU)
149: Alex Kocer (SDSU) over Trevor Wilson (UVU) – Dec., 6-2 (15-9 UVU)
157: Cody Pack (SDSU) over Chase Cuthbertson (UVU) – Dec., 8-5 (15-12 UVU)
165: Joe Brewster (SDSU) over Curtis Cook (UVU) – SV-1, 4-2 (15-15)
174: Monte Schmalhaus (UVU) over John Nething II (SDSU) – Dec., 6-2 (18-15 UVU)