The Black Knights (2-0-2), who trailed 19-7 after seven bouts, ripped off three straight victories to end the match and lock up the tie.
Senior Luke Calvert began the Black Knights' charge by pinning Dan Dunning in 3 minutes, 18 seconds in the 184-pound matchup.
Senior Todd Wisman followed with a 4-3 decision over Andrew Anderson at 197 pounds. The Harrisonburg, Va., native fell behind 2-0 early in the first period before staging his own come-from-behind effort. Wisman used a pair of escapes to knot the score 2-2 after two periods. Anderson used an escape of his own early in the third period to grab a 3-2 lead, and he held that advantage until the waning seconds when Wisman earned the match-winning takedown with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Wisman's remarkable triumph set the table for Sprigg's dramatics. The first-year grappler jumped ahead of Tyler Rhodes, 2-0, late in the first period on the strength of a takedown. After allowing a point to Rhodes on an escape just before the first period expired, Sprigg extended his lead to 3-1 when he escaped to open the second stanza. The plebe then held off Rhodes' challenge to claim the three-point decision and give Army its second tie of the young season.
Freshman William Simpson began the contest with a 9-5 decision over Seth Wright at 125 pounds. The Nashville, Tenn., product jumped ahead of Wright 4-0 and coasted to the victory.
Northern Iowa (2-3-1) won five of the next six bouts to assume a commanding 19-7 advantage through seven matches.
Senior Patrick Simpson picked up Army's lone win during that span as the team captain took a 13-2 major decision verdict from Colby Goetsch at 149 pounds. The elder Simpson sports a team-best 15-3 record on the season.
Earlier this year, Army tied then-No. 16 Hofstra, 19-19. It is the first time since the 1992-93 campaign that the Black Knights have tied two matches in a season. Army has never tied three matches in a single year.
The all-time series between Army and Northern Iowa is now 1-0-1 in favor of the Panthers. Today's contest marked the first meeting between the schools since they met on Jan. 6, 1989.
The Black Knights return to the mat tonight when they tangle with three-time defending NCAA national champion Oklahoma State at 7 p.m.
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