For Immediate Release: February 17, 2007
Contact: Joshua J. Darling (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton suffers narrow 22-18 defeat to Buffalo to close out dual competition
Nate Patterson and Ed Backus each register pins

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Binghamton University wrestling concluded its dual season with a close loss on Saturday evening, falling 22-18 to the University of Buffalo Bulls (8-7). The loss snaps the Bearcats five match winning streak.

Binghamton jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead when sophomore Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y.) recorded his team-leading tenth pin of the season (4:13), defeating sophomore Scott Rendos at 157 pounds. A 16-7 major decision by junior Mike Ragusa at 165 pounds, a 7-6 decision by junior Nate Rock at 174 pounds and a 16-3 major decision by senior Ray Lamb put the Bulls ahead 11-6 after four bouts.

The Bearcats got back into the match when freshman Ed Backus (Mohawk, N.Y.) came away with a pin (1:37) over senior Jake Blowers at 197 pounds to retake the lead 12-11. The two teams alternated the next two bouts, with Buffalo's Jeff Parker notching a 7-4 decision at heavy weight and BU's Mike Kleeman (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.) posting a 3-1 decision at 125 pounds.

The Bulls' Mark Budd then posted his 100th career victory with a 20-5 technical fall at 133 pounds to give Buffalo back the lead 19-15, one which they would not relinquish as redshirt-freshman Andrew Stella recorded the match clinching 8-4 victory at 141 pounds in the next bout. Binghamton junior Kyle Fried (Rock Hill, N.Y.) closed out the match with a 2-1 decision in the 149 pound match to reach the final margin.

The Bearcats will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships in Fairfax, Virginia on Friday March 2 and Saturday, March 3.

Buffalo 22, Binghamton 18

125 - Mike Kleeman (BU) decision over Dan Bishop 3-1
133 – Mark Budd (UB) technical fall over Rob Slavin (BU) 20-5
141 – Andrew Stella (UB) decision over Brandon Toro-Segarra (BU) 8-4
149 – Kyle Fried (BU) by decision over Jason Hilliard (UB) 2-1
157 – Nate Patterson (BU) by fall over Scott Rendos (UB) 4:13
165 – Mike Ragusa (UB) by major decision over Sam Sirota (BU) 16-7
174 – Nate Rock (UB) by decision over Josh Patterson (BU) 7-6
184 – Ray Lamb (UB) by major decision over Corey Waite (BU) 16-3
197 – Ed Backus (BU) by fall over Jake Blowers (UB) 1:37
Hwt - Jeff Parker (UB) by decision over Mike Patterson (BU) 7-4