American @ Bucknell

Bucknell beat American 31-9 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania on Jan. 21, 2024. The visitors managed a big individual win, but Bucknell’s string of bonus-point victories ultimately decided the dual.

American’s Shamil Kalmatov stole a highlight with a fall over Grayson McLellan at 125 pounds, earning six team points and a rare momentum boost for the Patriot program. That was one of the day’s standout finishes, but it wasn’t enough to swing the overall result.

Bucknell answered with a run of bonus wins in the mid-to-upper weights that created separation. Noah Mulvaney pinned Breon Phifer at 165 for six team points, Myles Takats posted a 13-4 major decision at 174 (four team points), Mikey Bartush followed with a 14-2 major at 184 (four team points), and Logan Deacetis closed the stretch with a 15-0 technical fall at 197 for five team points. Those bonus points accounted for a large share of Bucknell’s scoring and were the clear difference in the dual.

With Bucknell collecting multiple pins, majors and a tech fall, the Bison turned tight moments into decisive margins. American showed fight in select bouts, but Bucknell’s bonus production carried the night to a 31-9 victory.