COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland tallied victories in two of the opening three matches, but No. 6/8 Michigan came on strong late to earn a 33-6 victory over the host Terrapins Friday evening. Redshirt senior Geoffrey Alexander (133) and redshirt freshman Alfred Bannister (141) notched back-to-back wins to put the Terps ahead early, then the Wolverines took the next seven to move to 11-2 (6-1 Big Ten). Maryland slides to 4-11 (1-7 Big Ten).  

Alexander continued his successful run through the Big Ten with his fifth consecutive victory, this time knocking off Michigan's Rossi Bruno. After a scrappy first period, Alexander got on the board with a late takedown for a 2-0 lead. The grapplers would trade escapes in the ensuing second and third frames, but Alexander held off any desperate attempts late to remain unbeaten in duals (6-0) this season.

Bannister got back in the win column with a clutch performance in the 141-pound bout, getting a 3-1 sudden victory decision over George Fisher. Both wrestlers earned an escape in the first three periods, but neither could break their opponent's defense for a go-ahead takedown. Bannister made his move in the first sudden victory period, getting a hold of Fisher on top for his second Big Ten victory of the year.   

Bannister's win had the hosts ahead 6-3 after the first three weights, but two close matches at 149 and 157 gave the Wolverines a 9-6 edge before the break. Freshman Wade Hodges (149) held his own against No. 7 Alec Pantaleo, but couldn't takedown the sophomore as he dropped a 5-1 decision. After going behind 5-1 in the first two periods, redshirt senior Lou Mascola (157) battled back with a takedown and two escapes to tie his match with No. 9 Brian Murphy in the third. Mascola was aggressive until the end, but riding time went in the Murphy's favor for a 6-5 decision.

Michigan pulled away in the final four bouts, earning four bonus point victories and two pins for the 33-6 team decision.  The Terps will be back in action with a pool of wrestlers entered in the Messiah Open in Grantham, Pa. tomorrow. UMD will return to dual match action on February 14 when the squad battles Wisconsin (1-5, 0-3 Big Ten) and George Mason (6-8, 1-3 EWL).   

Maryland 6, Michigan 33

125: Conor Youtsey (MICH) decision over Michael Beck (MD), 10-5 (0-3)

133: No. 16 Geoffrey Alexander (MD) decision over Rossi Bruno (MICH), 3-1 (3-3)    

141: Alfred Bannister (MD) decision over George Fisher (MICH), 3-1 (SV-1) (6-3)       

149: No. 7 Alec Pantaleo (MICH) decision over Wade Hodges (MD), 5-1 (6-6)

157: No. 9 Brian Murphy (MICH) decision over Lou Mascola (MD), 6-5 (6-9)       

165: Garrett Sutton (MICH) decision over Brendan Burnham (MD) 5-2 (6-12)             

174: Aaron Calderon (MICH) fall over Josh Snook (MD), 6:50 (6-18)     

184: No. 4 Domenic Abounader (MICH) major decision over Jaron Smith (MD), 10-2 (6-22)

197: No. 6 Max Huntley (MICH) technical fall over Sean Twigg (MD), 17-0 (6-27)  

285: No. 4 Adam Coon (MICH) fall over Dawson Peck (MD), 2:13 (6-33)           

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