ATHENS, Ohio - SIUE's lighter weights put the Cougars in position to be successful, but Ohio pulled out a 22-17 victory Saturday.

SIUE, 6-5 overall and 33 in the Mid-American Conference, won the first four matches of the dual meet at the Convocation Center.

Davian Guanajuato defeated Ohio's Ryan Meek 4-1 at 125 pounds. Marcel Lopez bested Mason Brugh at 133 pounds 2-0. Eric Almarinez earned a major decision with a 13-4 win over Aidan Waszak. Caleb Tyus outlasted Derek Raike, winning an 8-5 decision in overtime.

"Eric did a great job getting bonus points," said SIUE Head Coach Jeremy Spates. "Caleb was down in the third period and did a great job of tieing it up in the third period and going on to win."

After SIUE won the first four matches, Ohio would win five of the next six, including a forfeit at 197 pounds.

SIUE won more matches contested on the mat, adding a major decision win for Deron Pulliam at 184 pounds over Robert Gaylord 13-3.

The Cougars have one more dual match left in the regular season next Friday at Northern Illinois. The postseason begins March 8-9 with the MAC Tournament in Kent, Ohio.

"We feel like we can compete with most teams right now," added Spates,

Ohio 22 SIUE 17
125 - Davian Guanajuato (SIUE) over Ryan Meek (Ohio) (Dec 4-1)
133 - Marcel Lopez (SIUE) over Mason Brugh (Ohio) (Dec 2-0)
141 - Eric Almarinez (SIUE) over Aidan Waszak (Ohio) (MD 13-4)
149 - Caleb Tyus (SIUE) over Derek Raike (Ohio) (SV-1 8-5)
157 - Peyten Kellar (Ohio) over Caine Tyus (SIUE) (Fall 3:52)
165 - Jack Lledo (Ohio) over Bradley Gillum (SIUE) (SV-1 4-1)
174 - Sal Perrine (Ohio) over Dominic Lopez (SIUE) (Dec 7-3)
184 - Deron Pulliam (SIUE) over Robert Gaylord (Ohio) (MD 13-3)
197 - Austin Starr (Ohio) won by forfeit
285 - Jordan Greer (Ohio) over Dan McKiernan (SIUE) (MD 11-1)