EAST LANSING, Mich. - Second-ranked John Dergo opened Saturday's dual with a technical fall victory at 184 pounds, then the Illini won their final three matches to stave off Michigan State on Sunday to improve to 1-1 in the Big Ten.
The No. 19 Illini won seven of 10 matches to win 23-12.
With the Spartans within two points and No. 11 Ryan Prater in a tied match, the Illini 141-pounder scored a reversal with two seconds left to escape with a  6-4 victory to give Illinois some breathing room.
No. 10 Patrick Bond (197), John Deneen (125), Conrad Polz (157), Joe Barczak (165) and No. 14 Jordan Blanton (174) also earned decisions for Illinois.

In women's tennis:
Illini edged. Megan Fudge won at No. 2 singles and teamed with Breanne Smutko to win their doubles match, but the 33rd-ranked Illini wrapped up their road trip with a 4-3 loss to No. 26 Virginia.
On Saturday, Illinois lost 4-3 to No. 11 Tenessee.
Chelcie Abajian and Marisa Lambropoulos won singles matches for Illinois (0-2).
"The key for us right now is doubles," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We started out pretty lackluster and didn't look ready to play. We didn't play with enough passion and energy. We're right there, but we have to win that doubles point.