BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo wrestling team rallied to defeat Clarion, 18-16, on Senior Night at Alumni Arena. Trailing 16-12, the Bulls won their last two bouts to pull out the two-point victory.

After falling behind, 3-0, Tommy Maddox, one of seven seniors honored prior to the dual, won a 14-7 decision over TJ England to tie the dual, 3-3. Leading 6-5 after the first period, Maddox got takedowns in the second and third period to pull away for the victory.

Clarion won the next two matches to take a 10-3 lead. Nick Stampoulos got the Bulls right back in it with a 19-4 technical fall over John Altieri at 157. With five takedowns, he only needed 4:47 to get the tech fall and pull the Bulls to within two, 10-8.

After dropping a decision at 165, Jay Nivison responded with an 11-3 major decision over Suds Dubler at 174. An early takedown set the tone and then two third-period takedowns earned him the near major.

With the Bulls still trailing, 13-12, head coach John Stutzman made a decision that changed the course of the dual. He bumped up his next three wrestlers. Marcus Petite, normally 174, wrestled at 184, Chase Kranitz, normally 184, wrestled at 197, and Sam Mitchell, normally 197 wrestled heavyweight.

Petite fought valiantly but dropped an 11-7 decision at 184. Trailing 16-12, it forced UB to have to win the final two matches to earn the victory.

Chase Kranitz started the comeback with a 10-3 decision over Connor Jacobs at 197. He recorded takedowns in each of the three periods and was in control the entire match.

Senior Sam Mitchell, wrestling in his final match at Alumni Arena, pulled out a 9-5 decision over John Meyers to secure the victory. Leading, 5-4, heading to the third, Mitchell got a takedown in the third period to seal the win.

With the win, the Bulls improved to 4-2 in Mid-American Conference duals on the season. They will back in action on Sunday at Central Michigan.

Results:
125 – Joey Fischer (CU) won by decision over Max Elton (UB), 7-1
133 – Tommy Maddox (UB) won by decision over TJ England (CU), 14-7
141 – Ryan Sullivan (CU) won by decision over Caleb Brooks (UB), 11-4
149 – Kyle Schickel (CU) won by major decision over Kaleb Burgess (UB), 10-1
157 – Nick Stampoulos (UB) won by tech fall over John Altieri (CU), 19-4 (4:47)
165 – Eli Brinsky (CU) won by decision over Hunter Shaut (UB), 4-1
174 – Jay Nivison (UB) won by major decision over Suds Dubler (CU), 11-3
184 – Cam Pine (CU) won by decision over Marcus Petite (UB), 11-7
197 – Chase Kranitz (UB) won by decision over Connor Jacobs (CU), 10-3
285 – Sam Mitchell (UB) won by decision over John Meyers (CU), 9-5