LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Colorado School of Mines and New Mexico Highlands won five matches apiece, but bonus points proved to be key for NMHU as they won a back-and-forth 18-16 dual Friday night.

Each side won four bouts by decision, but NMHU picked up a pin at 157 pounds and Robert Gambrell's major decision at 174 was the Orediggers' only bonus points. Noah Au-Yeung, Justin Ray, Jacob Gerken, and Jake Feldman picked up victories.

The Cowboys got out to a good start with Jacob Espana's 7-3 win over Matt Lavengood at 125, but Au-Yeung used overtime to win 6-5 against Jack Gaylor and tie it 3-3. That would spark three straight wins for Mines as Justin Ray shutout Patrick Vegas 4-0 at 141 and #8 Jacob Gerken won 4-3 against Orlando Guerra to stretch the Mines lead to 9-3.

Reis Humphrey got a late third-period pin on Ethan Ruby to tie the match, and Kellen Pelzel won at 165 against John Crowley 8-4 to lead 12-9. Robert Gambrell improved to 19-3 this season with his 11-2 major decision over Jacob Hawthorne to temporarily give Mines the lead back at 13-12, but two straight decisions for NMHU - Luis Terrazas over Anthony Spallino 6-0 at 183 and Chris Collins over Brandon Saunders, 6-3, at 197 - made it 18-12.

Feldman picked up his first collegiate win at heavyweight against Gabriel Escobedo, 4-1, but Escobedo did enough to keep it to a decision and prevent a Mines win.

The Orediggers continue their road trip Saturday at Adams State.
 

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New Mexico Highlands 18, Mines 16
125 - Jacob Espana (NMHU) over Matt Lavengood (MINES), Dec 7-3    
133 - Noah Au-Yeung (MINES) over Jack Gaylor (NMHU), Dec 6-5 OT   
141 - Justin Ray (MINES) over Patrick Vegas (NMHU), Dec 4-0           
149 - #8 Jacob Gerken (MINES) over Orlando Guerra (NMHU), Dec 4-3           
157 - Reis Humphrey(NMHU) over Ethan Ruby (MINES), Fall 6:55       
165 - Kellen Pelzel (NMHU) over John Crowley (MINES), Dec 8-4           
174 - Robert Gambrell (MINES) over Jacob Hawthrone (NMHU), Maj 11-2       
184 - Luis Terrazas (NMHU) over Anthony Spallino (MINES), Dec 6-0            
197 - Christopher Collins (NMHU) vs. Brandon Saunders (MINESM), Dec 6-3           
HWT - Jake Feldman (MINES) over Gabriel Escobedo (NMHU), Dec 4-1