Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business” played among several songs as the M.A.C. Center gymnasium emptied following Saturday’s Kent State wrestling meet against Northern Illinois.

The classic single couldn’t have been more appropriate, as the Flashes decisively handled the Huskies, 31-10, in the Mid-American Conference matchup.

Sophomore Nic Bedelyon opened the contest strong for the Flashes, defeating Nothern Illinois’ Izzy Montemayor (19-8) by fall in the third period of the match at 125 pounds.

Although junior Danny Mitcheff fell by fall to Tristen Deshazer in a battle between nationally ranked contenders at 133 pounds, senior Drew Lashaway quickly returned the favor to the Huskies. Lashaway made short work of his opponent, Pat McLemore, pinning him in under four minutes into his match at 141 pounds.

After Kent State’s Jeremy Depoy fell to Steve Zimmerman by major decision, 14-6, the Flashes prevailed throughout the rest of the competition by winning the meet’s final six matches.

The Flashes managed narrow, but key victories against the Huskies (4-5, 0-2 MAC) at 157, 165, 174 and 184 pounds. Surprisingly, Northern Illinois’ Brad Dieckhaus gave Kent State’s nationally ranked Dustin Kilgore a closer match than expected, where reversals were exchanged several times before Kilgore won, 10-7.

“(Kilgore) gave up a lot of points at the end of the period that he is too good to give up, but he works so hard that it is almost hard to tell him to slow down and take his time,” Kent State coach Jim Andrassy said. “He is also young and still trying to figure some things out.”

With only two matches remaining, Kent State had the meet well in hand, up 24-10.

Senior Eric Chine then defeated Northern Illinois’ Scott Penny in his 197-pound match, 13-9.

Highlighting the final match of the conference dual, senior Jermail Porter (21-1) defeated Zak Saevre (9-12) by major decision, 17-6, in a dominant performance for the No. 3 heavyweight in the nation.

The Flashes (8-4, 1-0 MAC) will host Pittsburgh at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the M.A.C. Center. Several national polls have Kent State and Pittsburgh ranked in the top 25, and Andrassy said his team is looking forward to the upcoming challenge.

“We are neck-and-neck with each other,” Andrassy said. “They’re strong where we’re strong. Their first three weight classes are very strong, as are ours.”

Contact sports reporter Caleb Raubenolt

at [email protected].