IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Wins over nationally ranked wrestlers by super sophomores Brian Realbuto, Dylan Palacio and Gabe Dean wasn't enough to overcome undefeated and top-ranked Iowa in a 24-8 decision on Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Big Red dropped to 16-2 on the season and will meet EIWA rival Lehigh in the consolation finals tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Realbuto, fresh off his win over No. 1 Dylan Ness of Minnesota in the morning session, topped No. 15 Mike Kelly 10-7 in another storng performance. Palacio and Dean also knocked off their second ranked wrestlers of the day, with 11th-ranked Palacio upsetting No. 9 Nick Moore 5-4, and top-ranked Dean controlling No. 8 Sammy Brooks in a 6-2 decision.

Despite its losses at six weight classes (Cornell forfeited at heavyweight), all came by three points or less, with five featuring Iowa as favorites by the rankings. Each was a near toss-up, and showed the Big Red will again be a factor at NCAAs.

At 16-2, Cornell has already matched its best dual win total in 16 years. The Big Red will be looking to duplicate or better its effort against Lehigh from late January, a 21-9 Cornell victory in Bethlehem, Pa., the same spot where they will travel next weekend looking to add a ninth consecutive EIWA crown.

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2015 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Semifinals
Feb. 21, 2015 * Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Iowa City, Iowa)
#1 Iowa 24, #5 Cornell 8
125: #5 Thomas Gilman (I) won by decision over #3 Nahshon Garrett (C), 3-1
133: #6 Cory Clark (I) won by decision over #16 Mark Grey (C), 5-2
141: #6 Josh Dziewa (I) won by decision over Dylan Realbuto (C), 5-3
149: #2 Brandon Sorensen (I) won by decision over #5 Chris Villalonga (C), 4-1
157: #6 Brian Realbuto (C) won by decision over #15 Mike Kelly, 10-7
165: #11 Dylan Palacio (C) won by decision over #9 Nick Moore (I), 5-4
174: #3 Mike Evans (I) won by decision over #18 Duke Pickett (C), 3-0
184: #1 Gabe Dean (C) wins by decision over #8 Sammy Brooks (I), 6-2
197: #6 Nathan Burak (I) won by decision over #9 Jace Bennett (C), 3-2
285: #4 Bobby Telford (I) won by forfeit
* Cornell docked one team point during 174 match for misconduct