Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Bulls Slip Past Flashes in Final Two Matches
12/10/2017 5:05:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT, Ohio – An unlikely major decision in overtime made the difference in Buffalo's 16-15 victory over Kent State Sunday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes (6-2, 0-1 MAC) and Bulls (3-3, 2-0) both won five matches, but Brett Perry piled up eight points in the tiebreaker period to claim a 16-8 victory over freshman Colin McCracken at 184.
"I've never seen an ending like that," Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of the 184-pound match. "We can't let that happen again. Finding ways to win a match like that is what's going to separate Colin from being a good college wrestler instead of an average college wrestler. Hopefully it's a learning experience for him."
From heavyweight to 133, Buffalo won the first three bouts to take a 9-0 lead. Sophomore Tim Rooney then sparked a five-match winning streak for the Flashes. Rooney scored a quick opening takedown and piled up 3:21 of riding time on the way to a 4-1 decision.
Redshirt freshman Nick Monico followed with a 3-1 win over Jason Estevez. With the match tied 1-1 in the third period, Estevez got in deep on a shot, but Monico scrambled his way around for the go-ahead takedown.
Junior 157-pounder Casey Sparkman kept the third period excitement going with a 3-1 victory of his own. With less than 10 seconds left in regulation, Sparkman quickly got in on a shot and converted the takedown to top Eric Fasnacht.
Junior Isaac Bast also found himself in a close match in third period, leading 3-2. Bast remained aggressive throughout the third and converted a pair of takedowns in a 7-3 victory.
Redshirt freshman Dylan Barreiro gave the Flashes a 15-9 lead after eight matches with a 4-3 decision over Ryan Kromer. Barreiro trailed 2-0 in the second period, before rallying for four straight points.
The back-and-forth overtime battle at 184 cut the Flashes' lead to 15-13 and Joe Ariola ended the day with a 5-3 decision over Kyle Conel. It was Conel's first career loss in a dual meet.
"I would like to have seen us been more aggressive in a lot of matches today," Andrassy said. "To be successful you have to be in great shape and push the pace. And we aren't quite there yet."
The Golden Flashes return to action Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Cleveland State Open.
Buffalo 16 Kent State 15
285: Jake Gunning (UB) over Devin Nye (KSU) dec. 6-2
125: Kyle Akins (UB) over Will Bardezbain (KSU) dec. 5-1
133: Bryan Lantry (UB) over Anthony Tutolo (KSU) dec. 4-1
141: Tim Rooney (KSU) over Blake Retell (UB) dec. 4-1
149: Nick Monico (KSU) over Jason Estevez (UB) dec. 3-1
157: Casey Sparkman (KSU) over Eric Fasnacht (UB) dec. 3-1
165: Isaac Bast (KSU) over Noah Grover (UB) dec. 7-3
174: Dylan Barreiro (KSU) over Ryan Kromer (UB) dec. 4-3
184: Brett Perry (UB) over Colin McCracken (KSU) maj. dec. 16-8 tiebreaker-1
197: Joe Ariola (UB) over Kyle Conel (KSU) dec. 5-3
Players Mentioned
