Martinez pinned, falls in NCAA title match

ST. LOUIS — Isaiah Martinez wrestled the 100th match of his career Saturday night at Scottrade Center, donning his orange singlet reserved solely for national championships against Penn State’s Vincenzo Joseph in the 165-pound title match.

But like just one other time in his Illinois career, Martinez found himself watching as Joseph’s hand was raised in victory. The Penn State redshirt freshman pinned Martinez 25 seconds into the third period, denying the Illini redshirt junior his third straight national championship.

Martinez led early, getting a takedown in the first period. Joseph started on top in the second period and took just more than a minute of riding time into the third with the…