IOWA CITY — Iowa scored four bonus-point victories en route to a 24-13 win against No. 17 Northwestern Sunday.
The Hawkeyes won six of 10 bouts to extend their conference winning streak to 39 straight duals.
"Six out of 10 matches isn't what we're about," Iowa coach Tom Brands said. "It's a lot more fun to steam roll opponents, work hard, and feel good about all 10 guys. We have work to do."
The Hawkeyes (9-1, 4-0) built a 14-3 lead with three consecutive bonus-point wins at 125, 133 and 141 pounds. Junior Matt McDonough totaled five takedowns and added a pair of nearfall points in an 18-4 major decision over seventh-ranked Levi Mele at 125. Sophomore Tony Ramos then followed with a first-period pin over Jameson Oster. The pin was the fifth of the season for Ramos.
Senior Montell Marion piled up nine takedowns a 21-7 major decision at 141 — his team-high seventh major decision of the season.
The Wildcats (5-3, 1-2) got back on the board when Kaleb Friedley won a 3-2 decision over redshirt freshman Michael Kelly at 149 pounds to pull with seven, 14-6. Northwestern then trimmed Iowa's team lead to 14-10 when No. 3 Jason Welch earned a 17-4 major decision over redshirt freshman Nick Moore.
Redshirt freshman Mike Evans ended Northwestern's run with an 11-0 major decision over Pierce Harger at 165 pounds. Sophomore Ethen Lofthouse (174) extended the Hawkeye team lead to 21-10 with a 5-2 decision over No. 9 Lee Munster.
Senior Vinnie Wager clinched the win an 11-4 decision at 184.
The second-ranked Hawkeyes travel to Columbus, Ohio, and State College, Pa., for a pair of Big Ten duals Jan. 20 and 22.
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