In a match that needed the fourth tie-breaker, George Mason (7-6, 4-3) defeated MAC opponent Central Michigan (9-6, 3-3) in an afternoon bout in Michigan.
The match couldn't have been any closer. George Mason and Central Michigan each won five matches and the Chippewas needed at least a major decision in the final match to tie the Patriots, before the match point was decided on fourth tie-breaker criteria, most near-fall points, 13-8.
The match saw four lead changes with the Patriots earning the first points with a Ben Monn, 8-3 decision to begin the match. The Chippewas would earn a technical fall at 133 to lead, 5-3.
Tate Hisey put GMU in the lead with a major decision, 10-2, against the CMU's Nick Blackburn.
Central Michigan followed with three straight wins to take a 14-7 lead with four matches to play. The next three matches belong to the Patriots.
Logan Messer and
Jack Kelly (197) delivered major decisions, while
Malachi DuVall earned a decision to take a 18-14 lead into the final match won by #30 Bryan Caves of CMU.
George Mason 19, Central Michigan 18
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
McGuirk Arena, Mount Pleasant, Mich.
125: Ben Monn (GM) dec. Archer Anderson, 8-3, GM 3, CMU 0
133: Andrew Austin (C) tech. fall
Malachi Stratton, 20-5, CMU 5, GM 3
141:
Tate Hisey (GM) major dec. Nick Blackburn, 10-2, GM 7, CMU 5
149: Jimmy Nugent (C) dec. No. 17/19
Kaden Cassidy, 7-5, CMU 8, GM 7
157: No. 23/25 Mason Shrader (C) dec. No. 21/22
DJ McGee, 4-2, CMU 11, GM 7
165: Chandler Amaker (C) dec.
Drew Dickson, 7-3, CMU 14, GM 7
174: No. 32/32
Logan Messer (GM) major dec. Cody Brenner, 11-1, CMU 14, GM 11
184: No. 24/26
Malachi DuVall (GM) dec. Wyatt Ferguson, 1-0, CMU 14, GM 14
197:
Jack Kelly (GM) major dec. Luke Cochran, 17-5, GM 18, CMU 14
285: No. 30/UR Bryan Caves (C) major dec.
Herbert Billups, 15-2, CMU 18, GM 18
(Dual ends 18-18; George Mason awarded one team point on fourth tie-breaker criteria, most near-fall points, 13-8)
*Rankings by InterMat/FloWrestling
Up Next: The Patriots travel to NC to battle Gardner-Webb on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 pm.
