"This was a great way to end our regular season," head coach Kyle Borshoff said. "We're carrying a lot of momentum right now heading into the postseason which will really help us in the EIWA tournament. I'm really proud with the way the guys have wrestled over the past few months; we're wrestling hard and we're winning those really tough matches. At the end of the day, if we can keep winning those close matches and taking bonus point victories when we can at the EIWA's and nationals, we're going to go a long way in the postseason."
Holding a tight 9-6 lead over the Bulls after the first five bouts, the pounding began as No. 28 DePrez earned his fourth bonus point win in the past five matches. At 165 pounds, DePrez took shot, after shot at Noah Grover, taking a 12-1 lead after the first period. Hitting hard and fast, DePrez walked away with a 17-2 tech (4:37) to earn his sixth consecutive win, moving to 23-8 overall on the season.
With an eight point cushion (14-6) heading into 174 pounds, Lombardo took the mat with the same assertive presence. The redshirt junior finished the first period with six near fall and two takedowns over Derek Holcomb, fueling an 18-2 tech (5:43). Back to back bonus point victories pushed the Bearcats to a 19-6 lead with only three bouts to go.
At 125 pounds, No. 23 Joe Nelson had an impressive showing, taking an 8-5 decision over nationally ranked Kyle Akins. Akins, sitting at No. 16 in the latest RPI rankings, led Nelson 5-4 through the second period. Nelson continued to fight, earning an escape and a takedown in the third en route to his victory.
At 149 pounds, Frankie Garcia secured his fourth straight victory with a 2-1 decision over Nicholas Palumbo. Trailing Palumbo 1-0 through the first, Garcia started up for the second. Palumbo desperately trying to escape, Garcia racked up over two minutes of ride time in the second period as he rode him out into the third. Garcia earned his go ahead point with an escape in the third, combined with ride time to get his hand raised.
Tristan Rifanburg won a close match at 157 pounds, breaking the stand still with an escape in the second period. Holding a 1-0 lead over Eric Fasnacht, Rifanburg earned two points for stall calls in his favor securing a 3-0 decision.
Fittingly enough, the Bearcats final win of the day came from No. 13 Steven Schneider, who took the mat in a dual match for the last time in his collegiate career. Schneider worked fast, earning two takedowns and an escape on his way to an 8-6 victory over Brett Perry. The senior got his hand raised for his 12th straight win, finishing with a 12-1 dual record and advancing to 16-4 overall.
Up next, the Bearcats get ready to roll into postseason competition at the EIWA tournament which will be held at Hofstra on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4.
Results:
125 – Joe Nelson (BU) won by decision over Kyle Akins (UB), 8-5
133 – #15 Bryan Lantry (UB) won by decision over Jacob Nicholson (BU), 4-3
141 – Jason Estevez (UB) won by decision over Joe Russ (BU), 9-3
149 – Frankie Garcia (BU) won by decision over Nick Palumbo (UB), 2-1
157 – Tristan Rifanburg (BU) won by decision over Eric Fasnacht (UB), 3-0
165 - Vincent DePrez (BU) won by technical fall over Noah Grover (UB), 17-2 (4:37)
174 – Anthony Lombardo (BU) won by technical fall over Derek Holcomb (UB), 18-2 (5:43)
184 - #13 Steve Schneider (BU) won by decision over Brett Perry (UB), 8-6
197 – Joe Ariola (UB) won by major decision over Alex Melikian (BU), 16-5
285 – #20 Jake Gunning (UB) won by major decision over Sean Dee (BU), 17-7
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