Dee Lockett Delivers Buzzer-Beater Magic as Cowboys Dominate Northern Iowa
STILLWATER - With just seconds left on the clock and his perfect record hanging in the balance, Oklahoma State’s Dee Lockett reminded everyone why he’s one of the most electrifying freshmen in college wrestling.
Down 4-1 in the final moments of his 165-pound bout against No. 6 Ryder Downey, Lockett unleashed a double-leg takedown that turned Gallagher-Iba Arena into a madhouse.
He didn’t just score the takedown - he drove Downey across the mat and straight to his back, adding two nearfall points as the buzzer sounded. In a matter of heartbeats, Lockett flipped the script and walked off with a 6-4 win, keeping his unbeaten streak alive at 10-0.
Then came the moment: Lockett stood up, arms crossed, soaking in the roar from the 6,510 fans in attendance. The sequence went to review, but the call stood. No. 2 in the country, and still undefeated - Lockett just has that clutch gene.
“He’s a pretty game guy,” OSU head coach David Taylor said post-dual. “He’s done that a lot in his career and a couple times this year.
He’s gotta make it a little easier on himself. But a lot of guys don’t have the ability to go get that takedown.
So it’s good that he has that.”
Lockett’s win was the highlight of a dominant 34-3 team victory over Northern Iowa, but it was far from the only statement made by the Cowboys.
At 174 pounds, Alex Facundo continued his steady climb with a 5-1 decision over No. 12 Jared Simma. Facundo set the tone with a takedown in the second period and never let up, staying aggressive through the final whistle.
Then there’s Jax Forrest - the early enrollee phenom who looks more like a seasoned vet than a freshman. Wrestling in just his fourth dual to preserve his redshirt, Forrest dismantled No.
25 Julian Farber with a 19-4 technical fall at 133 pounds. He’s now 7-0 since joining the team midseason, and if his current trajectory holds, it’s getting harder to imagine him not being the guy at 133 moving forward.
The Cowboys piled on the bonus points across the board. Sergio Vega (141), Landon Robideau (157), and heavyweight Konner Doucet all delivered extra-point wins - Vega and Robideau with majors, Doucet with a third-period pin.
The only blemish on the night came at 184 pounds, where No. 8 Zack Ryder fell in sudden victory to Nick Fox, 3-1.
Ryder had his chances, including a near takedown in overtime, but an injury timeout with 11 seconds left gave Fox the choice of position. He chose bottom, scored a reversal, and sealed the win.
Taylor didn’t dwell on the result - or the injury - afterward, but his message to the team was clear: dominate, don’t just win.
“I just think we got more to give,” Taylor said. “There are some really good things tonight.
But we can improve. We’re not just trying to win duals or beat teams - we’re trying to dominate people and separate ourselves.”
The numbers back that up. OSU outscored UNI 20-1 in takedowns.
The lone Panther takedown? Downey’s first-period shot on Lockett - the first takedown Lockett has surrendered in his college career.
Now, the Cowboys turn the page to an even bigger test. No. 3 Iowa State comes to Gallagher-Iba on Sunday for a Top 5 showdown that could have major implications on the national landscape.
But for now, OSU fans can savor a night where a freshman superstar stole the spotlight with one of the most clutch finishes of the season - and where the Cowboys looked every bit like a team ready to contend on the biggest stage.
Match Results:
- 125: Spratley (OSU) dec. Anderson (UNI), 6-1
- 133: Forrest (OSU) tech fall Farber (UNI), 19-4
- 141: Vega (OSU) major dec.
Brady (UNI), 14-3
- 149: Swiderski (OSU) dec.
Rathjen (UNI), 9-2
- 157: Robideau (OSU) major dec.
Rahnavardi (UNI), 14-4
- 165: Lockett (OSU) dec.
Downey (UNI), 6-4
- 174: Facundo (OSU) dec.
Simma (UNI), 5-1
- 184: Fox (UNI) dec.
Ryder (OSU), 3-1 SV
- 197: Merrill (OSU) dec.
Babcock (UNI), 2-0
- HWT: Doucet (OSU) fall Stromberg (UNI), 6:33
Up Next:
A heavyweight clash looms as No.
3 Iowa State rolls into Stillwater on Sunday. Expect fireworks.