American got off to a good start as Thomas Williams picked up a 4-2 decision over Derek Reber at 125 lbs. The two went scoreless into the second period where Reber took the first lead with an escape. Williams came back to score a takedown before the period expired and then added two more points with a reversal in the third for a 4-1 lead. Reber would pull to within 4-2 with an escape but would get no closer as Williams took the victory.
Bucknell bounced back with a technical fall by Alex Pellicciotti over Kevin Tao at 133 lbs., giving the Bison their only lead of the night 5-3. 14th-ranked Matt Mariacher got the Eagles back on track with a fall at 141 lbs., pinning Adam Healey to the matt just 1:57 into their bout for a 9-5 American advantage.
The Bison would score another win at 149 lbs. as No. 4 Kevin LeValley earned a 9-6 decision over No. 8 Ganbayar Sanjaa. Sanjaa held an early 4-0 lead after a takedown and two back points in the first but LeValley would go on top 7-4 in the second with an escape, takedown and two sets of back points. Sanjaa scored another takedown late in the third to pull to within 7-6, but after cutting LeValley the Bison would score the final takedown for the 9-6 margin.
Fittery put American in front 13-8 with an 18-7 major decision over Brantley Hooks at 157 lbs. The senior was aggressive early, taking Hooks down three times in the first for a 6-3 advantage. Fittery scored two more takedowns in the second to move the score to 10-5 and then put the match away with an escape, three takedowns and riding time advantage in the third.
Patrick Graham picked up a big win for the Eagles at 165 lbs., scoring a 5-3 decision over Corey Lear to give American a 16-8 lead. Graham opened the bout with two takedowns in the first and would take a 4-2 margin into the third period. Lear brought the score to 4-3 with an escape but could not score again on Graham, and with riding time advantage the sophomore walked away with the 5-3 win.
Bucknell cut its deficit to 16-14 with a pair of wins at 174 lbs. and 184 lbs. as David Thompson earned a 5-3 decision over Tanner Shaffer and Rob Waltko picked up a 13-8 decision over Thomas Barreiro. That would be as close as the Bison would get, however, as the Eagles put the dual away at the final two weights.
No. 18 Daniel Mitchell gave American some breathing room with a 6-4 decision over Jay Hahn at 197 lbs. Mitchell went on top 4-1 in the first with a pair of takedowns and Hahn closed the gap to 4-2 in the second with an escape. A Mitchell escape in the third made the match 5-2 before Hahn got in for a takedown to pull to within one, 5-4. Another Mitchell escape late in the frame ensured the win for the sophomore though, 6-4.
No. 3 Ryan Flores closed out the dual with a quick pin of Joe McMullan at the 1:59 mark, giving American the final 25-14 victory.
Fittery remains unbeaten on the year with his team-leading 20th bonus point win of the season. He is a perfect 24-0 in 2010-11 with 12 falls, five tech-falls and three major decisions. Flores moved his record to 18-5 with eight falls, two tech-falls and two major decisions.
Mariacher leads the team in wins at 27-7 and has picked up seven victories in his last eight matches. Mitchell improved his overall record to 25-6 including five straight wins while Williams now stands at 14-12.
American will return to the mat in two weeks at the EIWA Championships. This year's tournament will be held in Lewisburg, Pa. at Sojka Pavillion March 5-6.
Results:
125 – Thomas Williams (AU) dec. Derek Reber (BU), 4-2
133 – Alex Pellicciotti (BU) tech. fall Kevin Tao (AU), 17-1 (2:27)
141 - #14 Matt Mariacher (AU) fall Adam Healey (BU), 1:57
149 - #4 Kevin LeValley (BU) dec. #8 Ganbayar Sanjaa (AU), 9-6
157 - #1 Steve Fittery (AU) major dec. Brantley Hooks (BU), 18-7
165 – Patrick Graham (AU) dec. Corey Lear (BU), 5-3
174 – David Thompson (BU) dec. Tanner Shaffer (AU), 8-5
184 – Rob Waltko (BU) dec. Thomas Barreiro (AU), 13-8
197 - #18 Daniel Mitchell (AU) dec. Jay Hahn (BU), 6-4
HWT - #3 Ryan Flores (AU) fall Joe McMullan (BU), 1:59
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