ST. JOSEPH — It took almost two hours for Niles and St. Joseph to settle their Big 16 Conference West Division wrestling match Wednesday night.

When the smoke cleared, the Bears edged the Vikings 30-28. Niles would gain a split on the night with an 84-0 victory over Benton Harbor.

“It was a great dual,” Niles coach Todd Hesson said. “We gave up two pins and didn’t get bonus points in a couple of matches. St. Joe is a solid team and they wrestled well. Our kids wrestled tough, especially our freshmen and sophomores.

“Casey Burandt had a big win over Cam Hunsberger. It’s a tough loss, but it was an exciting dual and I think our kids enjoyed the atmosphere and learned the value of staying off our backs and at the same time trying to get bonus points and pins.”

Winning two matches on the night were Nicholas Zimmerman (112), Darek Mills (130), Burandt (140, 145), Donte Stevens (152), Fritzel Findeisen (160), Ryan Casey (189) and Derek Scott (285).

Niles will compete in the Delton-Kellogg Invitational Saturday.

Niles…28

St. Joe…30

103: David Melendez (SJ) d. Brendon Meek, 10-4

112: Nicholas Zimmerman (N) d. Devin Sheridan, 6-3

119: Tim Oluff (SJ) d. Justin Jones, 8-3

125: Tyler Daniels (SJ) p. Josh Dayhuff, 1:07

130: Darek Mills (N) d. Terrill Wilburn, 12-11

135: Anthony Miller (SJ) d. Warren Smith, 10-2

140: Casey Burandt (N) d. Cam Hunsberger, 4-0

145: Chris Ketchmark (SJ) d. Sean Craig, 9-3

152: Donte Stevens (N) d. David Bluschke, 15-1

160: Fritzel Findeisen (N) d. A. Montoya, 17-9

171: Mike Gould (SJ) t.f. John Couch, 18-2

189: Ryan Casey p. Alex Rutherford (SJ), 1:41

215: Josh Burkhand (SJ) p. Balazs Bruckner, 1:40

285: Derek Scott (N) p. Casey Curran, 0:32

Niles…84

Benton Harbor…0

103: Brendon Meek (N) p. Marcus Meridy, 1:47

112: Nicholas Zimmerman (N) p. Jordan Abrums, 0:22

119: Justin Jones (N) p. Jaleel Mineal, 3:27

125: Josh Dayhuff (N) p. Tyrone Hessel, 0:35

130: Darek Mills (N) p. Omari Kohn, 0:29

135: Warren Smith (N) p. Eric Robinson 0:44

140: Sean Craig (N) p. Codion Isum, 2:43

145: Casey Burandt (N) p. Tyler Warrren, 1:08

152: Donte Stevens (N) p. Jacob Blue, default

160: Fritzel Findeisen (N) wins by forfeit

171: John Couch (N) p. Kendall Franklin, 3:37

189: Ryan Casey (N) p. Johnny Hill, 1:39

215: Balazs Bruckner (N) p. Martel Turner, 0:59

285: Derek Scott (N) p. Jeffery Thomas, 2:51