Eagles Tame Bulls, 28-10

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team took the mat Saturday night (Feb. 3) in its final home match of the season and senior night against the University at Buffalo, defeating the Bulls 28-10, at home in the Convocation Center. The senior Eagles would all post wins in the final home match of their careers.

"It was good to see all four seniors get wins on senior night," said head coach Derek DelPorto.
The victory over Buffalo marks the first Mid-American Conference win for DelPorto, who is in his first year at EMU and moves the Eagles to (4-6, 1-3 MAC) on the season while the Bulls drop to (7-5, 0-3 MAC). The Eagles last MAC dual meet win coincidentally came against the Bulls Feb. 5, 2005.

Dan Bishop would give the Bulls an early 4-0 advantage with a 12-0 major decision over redshirt freshman Jack Cassady (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) in the 125-pound weight class. Buffalo's 133 lbs., No. 17 ranked Mark Budd posted a 5-2 decision over redshirt freshman Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) to extend the lead to 7-0.

The Eagles would take the next five matches from the Bulls, building a 19-7 lead and never looking back. Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe) would start the Eagle rally at 144 pounds with a 17-7 major decision over Andrew Stella. Senior Jermain Thompson (Akron, Ohio-Kenmore) would follow Donofrio’s lead with a flurry of scoring in the third period, on his way to posting a 14-3 major decision over Jason Hilliard at 149 pounds.

"Dual meets are all about momentum, once you get going you are hard to beat and I thought we did a great job of keeping that momentum once Donofrio and Mancuso got it going for us," said DelPorto.

In the 157 pound match, EMU junior Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Penn.-Brockway Area) would jump out to an 8-0 lead after the first period en route to a 17-0 tech fall over Justin Hunt. Senior Nick Conklin (Milton, Wisc.-Milton) registered a late two-point takedown in the third period to post a 6-3 decision over Mike Ragusa at 165.

Redshirt freshman Josh Lewis (West Liberty, Ohio-Salem) would hold onto an early 6-3 first-period lead in the 174 pound match to win an 11-6 decision over Nate Rock. Ryan Lamb would end the five-match losing streak for the Bulls as he posted a 11-3 decision over John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) in the 184 lbs. contest.

Senior Tony Lyssiotis (Oxford, Mich.-Oxford) put the Eagles back on track in the 197 pound match, pinning Jake Blowers just over two minutes into the first period, increasing the Eagle lead to 25-10.

In the final match of the night and of his career at home, senior Charlie Walker (Washington, Mich.-Romeo) found himself down 3-1 at the start of the third period. With under a minute remaining in the match, Walker would earn one point on an escape and a two point takedown, giving him a 4-3 advantage which he would hold onto over Jason Weber.

The Eagles will shift from MAC action as they travel to Clarion, Pa. for a dual match against Clarion University Friday, Feb.9. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.

Eastern Michigan University 28, University at Buffalo 10

Wt Class Wrestlers Score
125 lbs. Dan Bishop (UB) dec. Jack Cassady (EMU) 12-0
133 lbs. Mark Budd (UB) dec. Chris Jenkins (EMU) 5-2
141 lbs. Zach Donofrio (EMU) maj. dec. Abdrew Stella (UB) 17-7
149 lbs. Jermain Thompson (EMU) maj. dec. Jason Hilliard (UB) 14-3
157 lbs. Cory Mancuso (EMU) maj. dec. Justin Hunt (UB) 17-0
165 lbs. Nick Conklin (EMU) dec. Mike Ragusa (UB) 6-3
174 lbs. Josh Lewis (EMU) dec. Nate Rock (UB) 11-6
184 lbs. Ray Lamb (UB) dec. John McClure (EMU) 11-3
197 lbs. Tony Lyssiotis (EMU) pinned Jake Blowers (UB) 2:26
HWT Charlie Walker (EMU) dec. Jason Weber (UB) 4-3

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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