MINOT, N.D. – The first season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has been a rough one for Robin Ersland and the Minot State wrestling team.

The Beavers fell in their home finale Friday night in the MSU Dome, losing 44-3 to Southwest Minnesota State Unviersity.

“It's too bad we had to go out this way,” said Ersland. “Again, we have had guys battle all year and be put in some tough spots. Tonight we did a nice job fighting the guy off but we haven't had a counter-attack. It's one of the things we work on but we just didn't do it tonight.”

The Mustangs (12-6 overall 2-5 NSIC) were in control from the very beginning. SMSU's Ed Reno won the 125 match by forfeit and then No. 5 Justin Reinsma improved his record to 21-4 on the season with a 11-6 decision over Matt Ruby (So., 133, Minot, N.D.) at 133 pounds.

The Beavers were unable to muster a win heading into the 285 pound match, but Bobby Bartz (So., 285, Harvey, N.D.) was able to end the streak with a 7-3 decision over Jon Gorter.

“It's nice to win at least the last match,” said Ersland. “It's good to send the fans out on a more positive note and Bobby did a nice job tonight. The guy from SMSU was a little smaller and quicker, but Bobby did well in reacting to his moves; that's why he won the match.”

Bartz improves his record to 9-8 overall including a team high 42 team points.

Minot State will now prepare for the Super Regional Three Tournament on Feb. 24 in Waterloo, Iowa. Any Beaver could qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships with a fourth place finish or better.

Southwest Minnesota State 44, Minot State 3
125-Ed Reno, SMSU, wins by forfeit
133-Justin Reinsma, SMSU, def. Matt Ruby 11-6
141-Devin Terry, SMSU, pinned Flynn Stormer 0:46
149-Beau Buysse, SMSU, def. Marcus Wilson 6-1
157-Codie Lane, SMSU, def. Marcus Polak 6-4
165-Jacob Begin, SMSU, pinned Eric O'Neill 4:35
174-Terrance Maier, SMSU, pinned Devon Flores 5:22
184-Travis Peralta, SMSU, tech. fall Cody George 20-4
197-Blaine Miller, SMSU, pinned Joe Johnson 2:10
285-Bobby Bartz, MISU, def. Jon Gorter 7-3