Mason (5-7, 2-1 EWL) junior Ibrahim Bunduka (11-0) recorded three takedowns in the first period in his 125-pound match to build a 6-3 lead over Cleveland State junior John Martin. Bunduka claimed a 12-8 decision to remain unbeaten on the season and put Mason in front with a 3-0 match score lead.
"This week I've been thinking positive and telling myself the third period is when I have to get more takedowns," Bunduka said. "I didn't stop moving and I kept looking for attacks, so it's a good feeling. We just have to keep it going."
The Patriots came out of the locker room on a mission.
"The team is wrestling with a little emotion and I think that's a good thing for us," Mason head coach Joe Russell said. "I told them they had a chance to do something that no team has done since I've been the coach here and that was to win four in a row. The team went out and wrestled hard today. Confidence is huge and our guys are feeling that a little right now so I'm happy for them."
Freshman Lio Quezada (11-13) and Vikings freshman Spencer Dusi were scoreless after two periods at 133-pounds. Quezada scored two points with a reversal with only 30 seconds left in the third period and added a riding time point for a 3-0 decision.
Scoring was also at a premium at 141-pounds. Patriot's sophomore Tejon Anthony (14-7) and Cleveland State sophomore Evan Cheek were tied 2-2 after the second period. Anthony earned the 3-2 decision, with the match decided by a riding time point as Mason increased the match score lead to 9-0.
Mason Senior Sahid Kargbo (20-1) registered six takedowns in his match at 149-pounds, two in each period, on the way to a 14-5 major decision over Cleveland State senior Nick Montgomery.
"That was a big match for Sahid," Russell said. "It's just another statement match for him with 20 wins already."
Russell summed up the milestone victory by his senior with one word. "Wow".
Kargbo led 4-2 after the first period and 9-2 after the second period. He is the first Mason wrestler to reach the 20-win plateau this season.
"It's always a big win for the team and individually against a conference opponent," said Kargbo of Mason's fourth straight dual win. "It just shows all the great things that the coaching staff is doing for the program and how they are taking us to a new level every year."
Kargbo, who has a perfect record against conference opponents, took his 20th win of the season in stride.
"I'm just going out and trying to make the most of my senior season," Kargbo continued. "It seems like the last four competitions that we have had, we've been wrestling for each other."
Freshman Matthew Raines (8-12) trailed 1-0 in his bout at 157-pounds, but tied the score with an escape in the third. Raines gained the upper hand against Vikings freshman Grant Turnmire with only 30 seconds left in the third period and muscled his way to a takedown to pick up a 3-1 decision.
Senior Ryan Forrest (1-0) recorded a win in his season debut at 165-pounds. He quickly took a 2-0 lead over Cleveland State sophomore John Vaughn with a takedown in the first period. Forrest won the match by a 4-1 decision to increase the Patriots match score lead to 19-0.
The Patriots won the first six matches of the day. It was the fourth straight dual that Mason has built a match score lead of at least 18-0.
In their last four duals, the Patriots have a total of 28 individual wins. Mason won eight matches in a 30-6 win at Davidson, seven in a 21-15 victory over SIU Edwardsville, five at VMI and eight more on Saturday against Cleveland State.
After Cleveland State earned wins at 174-pounds and 184-pounds, Mason senior Matt Meadows (3-9) claimed a victory in his match at 197-pounds over Cleveland State freshman Collin Kelly. After nearly putting the match away in the first period with a near fall, Meadows led 2-0 going into the third period and won a 3-0 decision.
"Guys are excited to wrestle, not just for themselves, but for each other," Mason assistant coach Canaan Bethea said. "Right now we are giving 100 percent effort and that's why we are getting such good results."
Mason sophomore Matthew Voss (12-9) ended the match with a convincing 17-1 technical fall over Vikings freshman Michael Furbee at heavyweight. Voss went on the attack early, scoring the first of his two takedowns in the first period just 45 seconds into the match. He tallied four takedowns and added eight near fall points in the win.
"To see a heavyweight score points like that is exciting," Russell said. "He's doing the right things. It was good to see and he is gaining some confidence and learning how to score points. That's huge."
The Patriots return to the mat on Friday, Jan. 20 against Clarion University at 7 p.m. at Tippin Gymnasium in Clarion, Pa.
Results:
125 | Ibrahim Bunduka (Mason) decision over John Martin (CSU), 12-8 | 3-0 Mason
133 | Lio Quezada (Mason) decision over Spencer Dusi (CSU), 3-0 | 6-0 Mason
141 | Tejon Anthony (Mason) decision over Evan Cheek (CSU), 3-2 | 9-0 Mason
149 | Sahid Kargbo (Mason) major decision over Nick Montgomery (CSU), 14-5 | 13-0 Mason
157 | Matthew Raines (Mason) decision over Grant Turnmire (CSU), 3-1 | 16-0 Mason
165 | Ryan Forrest (Mason) decision over John Vaughn (CSU), 4-1 | 19-0 Mason
174 | Devon Pingel (CSU) major decision over Daniel Mika (Mason), 10-2 | 19-4 Mason
184 | Nick Cobra (CSU) major decision over Austin Harrison (Mason), 14-3 | 19-8 Mason
197 | Matt Meadows (Mason) decision over Collin Kelly (CSU), 3-0 | 22-8 Mason
HWT | Matthew Voss (Mason) technical fall over Michael Furbee (CSU), 17-1 5:06 | 27-8 Mason
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