The Mountaineers started out the meet strong by winning the first four matches. Tom McMath, ranked sixth in the nation at 165, opened the dual with an 18-7 major decision over Dave Guarino. Third-ranked Greg Jones followed with his 20th win of the season with an 11-5 decision over Gary Cooper.
Ryan Wilman kept the momentum for WVU in dramatic fashion at 184. Wilman led the majority of his match with Garrett Bontempo but surrendered a late takedown which sent the match into overtime. Wilman shot early in the overtime period and grasped Bontempo's leg and then scrambled to get on top to record the takedown and the 5-3 victory.
Brent Miller (197), Ryan Kehler (HWT), No.20 Billy Smith (149) and No.9 Joe Carr each won decisions for the Mountaineers.
Seventeenth-ranked Shane Cunanan (141) added four points with his 12-2 major decision over Ryan Bentley. "I was worried about this match because Buffalo was capable of matching up with us very well," coach Craig Turnbull said. "If we fell in one of those close matches they could have had some dangerous momentum, but we were able to pull out a lot of those close matches and that put us over the top."
The Mountaineers return to the mat on Friday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum for an Eastern Wrestling League clash with No.17 Lock Haven.