SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Making their first trip to Sioux Falls to take on the 2^nd-year Cougars, the Minot State men's wrestling team prevailed with a late surge in an NSIC dual on Friday night.

Brendan Barnes won by pin, helping the Beavers even up the dual, then Cannon Potts added another win by pin as Minot State pulled away late for a 24-18 win.

Dylan McDonald, Ryan Hrcka, Gavin Turk, and Jake Swirple all added wins by decision for Minot State, which is in action at No. 8 Augustana on Saturday night.

Trailing 12-3 in the dual, Hrcka started the charge for the Beavers (6-5 duals, 2-3 NSIC) with a 2-1 win in his 157-pound match over Lincoln Fink, then Barnes picked up a win by pin 1 minute, 40 seconds into the second round of his match at 165 against Cooper Sanders, tying the dual 12-12.

Turk then completed a run of three straight Minot State wins with an 8-2 decision at 174 pounds over Grant Moraski, giving the Beavers a brief lead as a pin by the Cougars at 184 put them back on top.

Potts changed that for good in his 197-pound match, pinning Stetson Davis in 1:03 to give Minot State a 21-18 edge.

Swirple then iced the team win as the No. 9-ranked heavyweight picked up an 8-2 decision at 285 pounds over Isaiah Laguna for the final margin of victory.

McDonald got the Beavers started with an 11-5 decision win in the 125-pound match against Jaxton Packer in the first match of the evening.