GOLDEN, Colo. - New Mexico Highlands beat Colorado School of Mines in a 21-19 nailbiter Friday that came down to the final match.

Leading 18-13 heading into 197 pounds, the Cowboys gambled and took a forfeit against nationally-ranked Paul Wilson, bumping his opponent Cody Marquez up to heavyweight while giving Mines a 19-18 lead to set up a winner-take-all final match. Marquez defeated Ian Cheatum in an electric bout, 6-3.

It was a night full of bonus points for both sides. Highlands won the first three matches to take an 11-0 lead, but Mines roared back with Jacob Gerken's 14-6 major decision against Orlando Guerra at 149 and Ethan Ruby's 10-2 major over Christian Lechuga at 157. John Crowley dominated Jacob Hawthorne to earn a 3:59 tech fall at 165, giving Mines a 13-11 lead.

Things turned around around for Highlands, however, as Jonathan Bechtloff won 6-0 against Rocky Michaelson at 174 and Luis Terrazas used a big third period to major Brandon Saunders 16-3. The decision to forfeit to Wilson, who had beaten Marquez twice earlier this season, put Mines ahead 19-18.

At 285, Cheateum led 3-2 after one thanks to a penalty and a reversal, but Marquez's second-period reversal and a third-period takedown made the difference.

Mines is back in action Saturday morning, hosting the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Open at Steinhauer Fieldhouse.

New Mexico Highlands 21, Colorado School of Mines 18
125: Jacob Espana (NMH) over Matthew Lavengood (CSM) (Dec 7-0)
133: Tre Humphrey (NMH) over Noah Au-Yeung (CSM) (TF 23-6 6:22)
141: Dan Gaylor (NMH) over Travis Torres (CSM) (Dec 6-4)
149: Jacob Gerken (CSM) over Orlando Guerra (NMH) (MD 14-6)
157: Ethan Ruby (CSM) over Christian Lechuga (NMH) (MD 10-2)
165: John Crowley (CSM) over Jacob Hawthorne (NMH) (TF 16-1 3:59)
174: Jonathan Bechtloff (NMH) over Rocky Michaelson (CSM) (Dec 6-0)
184: Luis Terrazas (NMH) over Brandon Saunders (CSM) (MD 16-3)
197: Paul Wilson (CSM) by forfeit
285: Cody Marquez (NMH) over Ian Cheatum (CSM) (Dec 6-3)