For the second time this season, NIU wrestling has taken down another Top 10 team in the country.

This time it happened to be the eighth-ranked Missouri Tigers from the mighty Big 12 conference, which has five teams ranked in the Top 20. The No. 20 Huskies beat the Tigers 21-16 on Senior Day at the Convocation Center on Sunday.

“We have knocked off four ranked teams so far,” senior J.D. Oliva said. “You always hear that NIU isn’t that good. I read something on the Internet that said Scott Owen is surrounded by a bunch of turds. I think we proved that we are a good team, we win big matches when it comes down to it.”

In the seniors’ last home meet, 125-pound Marlon Felton, 174-pound Bill Lowney and 197-pound Oliva all won by decision.

Sixth-year senior Scott Owen (157 pounds) had his fourth pin of the season against Cody Green.

Seniors Oliver Vazquez (149 pounds) and Jack Dennis (heavyweight) lost their final home matches against two ranked opponents.

“I’m really pleased that the seniors had the opportunity to go out on a winning note against a Top 10 team,” coach Dave Grant said. “It really shows the level of commitment that they have to our program over the years.”

The Huskies, however, had two of their three ranked wrestlers lose in 19th-ranked 141-pound Josh Wooton fell to J.P. Reese and eighth-ranked Ben Heizer, who was pinned by fourth-ranked Scott Barker.

Picking up the intensity was 133-pound Sam Hiatt, who won by a 2-1 decision. Also, sophomore Jeremy Benesh defeated sixth-ranked Tyron Woodley in sudden death.

“The guys were true warriors tonight,” Grant said. “They went out and fought hard, that’s what we look at. We base how well we do on how hard we fight.”