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ST. LOUIS, MO - The University at Buffalo had a rough evening session at the NCAA National Championships, suffering three losses, two coming to top-seeded wrestlers. The Bulls still have two wrestlers alive for Friday morning's consolation round.

In the Bulls first action Friday night, Josh States (Lockport, NY/Lockport) took on two-time All-American and fourth-seeded Brandon Eggum of Minnesota for a chance at Friday's quarterfinals. It was a battle for control early before Eggum recorded a takedown with 1:45 left in the first period. After a States escape, Eggum recorded another takedown with 0:35 left for a 4-1 lead after one period. It was all Eggum after that as he wore States down and recorded two more takedowns in the second period. Leading 8-3 going into the third, Eggum recorded a reversal and another takedown, and recorded riding time in the 14-4 win. States suffered his first loss in the championships and is now 27-12 on the season. States will wrestleTom Ciezki of Northwestern in Friday morning's consolation round.

Freshman Joe Downey (Norwich, NY/Norwich) saw his first action of the tournament after recieving a first round bye. Downey went up against returning All-American and third-seeded Nick Muzashvili of Michigan State, and lost that match 14-0. It was even early on, but a late takedown at the end of the first period for Muzashvili gave him a 2-0 lead. Another late takedown for Muzahvili in the second period resulted in a near fall, giving him three back points as time ran out and an 8-0 lead going into the third period. Muzahvili recorded another takedown and recorded two back points in the third to secure the 14-0 win. Downey, now 26-14 on the year, suffered his first loss of the tournament and will wrestle in Friday morning's consolation matches against the winner of the Corey Anderson of Cornell and Todd Palmisano of Rider match.

At 133 pounds, Shawn Kegel (Wantagh, NY/MacArthur) squared off against Jason Nagle of Penn in an elimination match and lost by fall in 4:56.  Nagle jumped out with the first points of the match with a takedown halfway through the first period. Kegel then cut the lead in half with and escape, making it 2-1. Kgeel chose the down position to start the second period, and Nagle took advantage, recording three back points early in the second. Nagle controlled the match after that and rode Kegel, recording two more back points before finally recording the pin at 4:56. The loss eliminated Kegel and ended his season with a 30-12 record.

"We got unlucky with some tough draws, facing two three-seeds and a fourth seed between our three guys," said head coach Jim Beichner. "We've told our guys all year that you have to battle and find a way to comeback. We've done that all season and we got two guys (States and Downey) who are still aliveand will have to come out tomorrow and fightback, and I have confidence they will do just that."

133 Pounds
Jason Nagle (Penn) def. Shawn Kegel (Buffalo), Fall, 4:56.

184 Pounds
Brandon Eggum (Minnesota) def. Josh States (Buffalo), 14-4

197 Pounds
Nick Mizashvili (Michigan State) def. Joe Downey (Buffalo), 14-0