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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo wrestling team picked up two big wins to start the Mid-American Conference season, recording dual meet wins over Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan at UB's Alumni Arena.

UB dominated Eastern Michigan, taking that contest 31-9. The Bulls recorded three wins by fall in that match, the first coming at 149 pounds from Tom Paladino (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage), a double winner on the day for UB. Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) followed that up with a win by fall in 1:21 at the 157-pound weight class. The last fall came at 197-pounds when Josh States (Lockport, NY/Lockport) pinned his opponent in 1:12. Shawn Kegel (Wantaugh, NY/MacArthur) recorded a major decision at 133 pounds, winning 17-4 in his match and Ryan Bentley (Ripley, NY/Ripley) pulled out a sudden death victory, winning 6-5 at 141 pounds. David Guarino (Derby, NY/Lakeshore) and John Eschenfelder (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) both took wins by decisions, and both recorded double wins on the day for the Bulls.

In the first match of the day, UB and Northern Illinois battled down to the last match, with the Bulls coming away with a 19-15 win. Eschenfelder took an 8-4 win to start things off for UB, but NIU came back to win the next two weight classes for a 7-3 lead. The Bulls got a key major decision win by Bentley over Steven Bradley at 141 pounds, winning 12-4, and then got a 4-2 win from Paladino at 149 pounds to give UB a 10-7 lead. The Huskies then got major decisions at 157 and 174 pounds to lead 15-13 with two weight classes to go. States got a big win over David Potter at 184 pounds to give the Bulls a one-point advantage, and Joe Downey (Norwich, NY/Norwich) closed the deal with a 10-5 win at 197 pounds for the 19-15 UB victory.

The third match of the day saw Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan battle to an 18-18 tie. Zac Pyles recorded a fall for EMU at 133 pounds and All-American Ryan Feeney, a double winner on the day for the Eagles, recorded a 5-1 overtime win. Alexis Rivera was a double winner on the day for the Huskies at 125 pounds, as was Scott Owens at 157 pounds, recording a major decision win against UB and a win by fall against EMU.

Buffalo, coming off a tournament win at the Bloomsburg Invitational, is now 2-0 on the season in dual meets and 2-0 in the Mid-American Conference. UB will next travel to take part in the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational next weekend.

DUAL MEET RESULTS

Buffalo - 19, Northern Illinois - 15

125 - Alexis Rivera (NIU) Maj. Dec. Adam Grillo (UB), 11-3
133 - Ryan Egan (NIU) Dec. Shawn Kegel (UB), 11-9
141 - Ryan Bentley (UB) Maj. Dec. Steven Bradley (NIU), 12-4
149 - Tom Paladino (UB) Dec. Ramin Sedeghian (NIU), 4-2
157 - Scott Owen (NIU) Maj. Dec. Labe Black (UB), 12-2
165 - Dave Guarino (UB) Dec. Bryce Hassemann (NIU), 10-4
174 - Bill Lowney (NIU) Maj. Dec. Garrett Bontempo (UB), 14-5
184 - Josh States (UB) Dec. David Potter (NIU), 3-1
197 - Joe Downey (UB) Dec. Jason Nape (NIU), 10-5
HWT - John Eschenfelder (UB) Dec. John Lovrich (NIU), 8-4

Eastern Michigan - 18, Northern Illinois - 18

125 - Alexis Rivera (NIU) Dec. Ron Thompson (EMU), 11-5
133 - Zac Pyles (EMU) Fall Ryan Egan (NIU), Fall - 4:38
141 - Darnell Ruffin (EMU) Dec. Steven Bradley (NIU), 8-2
149 - Ramin Sedeghian (NIU) Dec. Eric Fairbanks (EMU), 4-3
157 - Scott Owen (NIU) Fall Rob Root (EMU), Fall - 2:37
165 - Derek Pace (EMU) Dec. Bryce Hassemann (NIU), 6-2
174 - Mike Feeney (EMU) Dec - OT Bill Lowney (NIU), 5-1
184 - James Oliva (NIU) Dec. Craig Ciccarelli (EMU), 9-2
197 - Dave Bonnigson (EMU) Dec. Jason Nape (NIU), 5-2
HWT - John Lovrich (NIU) Dec. Derrick Parker (EMU), 5-0

Buffalo - 31, Eastern Michigan - 9

125 - Ron Thompson (EMU) Dec. Adam Grillo (UB), 9-5
133 - Shawn Kegel (UB) Maj. Dec. Zac Pyles (EMU), 17-4
141 - Ryan Bentley (UB) Dec. SD-OT Darnell Ruffin (EMU), 6-5 - SD OT
149 - Tom Paladino (UB) Fall Eric Fairbanks (EMU), Fall - 4:06
157 - Labe Black (UB) Fall Rob Root (EMU), Fall - 1:21
165 - Dave Guarino (UB) Dec. Adam Gillmore (EMU), 1-0
174 - Mike Feeney (EMU) Dec. Garrett Bontempo (UB), 8-1
184 - Josh States (UB) Fall Craig Ciccarelli (EMU), Fall - 1:12
197 - Dave Bonnigson (EMU) Dec. Joe Downey (UB), 6-1
HWT - John Eschenfelder (UB) Dec. Derrick Parker (EMU), 6-3