EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE's Justin Ruffin and Colton McKiernan each blanked their respective opponents Wednesday, but the Cougars dropped the overall dual to No. 24 Missouri 35-7.

"I was happy with the way a lot of our guys came out firing," said SIUE Head Coach Jeremy Spates. "That's one of the things we;ve been talking about that you can;t win unless you put yourselves in position to score." 

Ruffin bested Missouri's Phyllip DeLoach 9-0 to open the dual. Ruffin rode DeLoach for the second and third period and turned him twice.

McKiernan defeated Jacob Bohlken with an escape, a stalling call and riding time.

"Both Justin and Colton are tough on top," said Spates.

Two close matches ended the dual when Alex Butler, of Missouri, nipped Saul Ervin at 141 pounds 3-2. In a battle of nationally-ranked wrestlers at 149 pounds, SIUE's Tyshawn Williams took Brock Mauller to overtime before dropping a 5-3 decision.

Missouri is now 10-8 overall and 8-0 in the MAC. SIUE is 2-12 overall and 0-9 in the MAC.

The Cougars close out the week with a 1 p.m. ET dual Sunday at Indiana.

Missouri 35 SIUE 7