BUCKNELL 21, HARVARD 10

On Friday, Bucknell and Harvard entered Davis Gym both searching for a first conference win. The difference was that the Bison had already completed—and lost—two EIWA contests. The Crimson, meanwhile, was opening league competition.

At the end of the evening, it was beleaguered Bucknell (2-9, 1-3) that emerged with the win. The Bison secured the victory when Chad Reese topped freshman Cliffton Wang in a 5-3 decision. Reese, who last competed in November, overcame an early 2-1 deficit.

That match capped a spirited comeback for Bucknell. After Crimson rookie Brock Wilson claimed a 3-0 decision at 157 pounds, the visitors held a 10-6 lead. But the Bison claimed the next five matches to carry the contest.

The evening featured high drama, with two bouts going to overtime. Bucknell won both. At 133 pounds, David Campbell topped junior Samuel Goldman, 3-1, in the first bonus frame. At 174 pounds, Nick Stephani went a frame-and-a-half before securing a 2-1 victory over co-captain Johnson.

The 184-pound matchup did not require overtime, but Drew Phipps and Dean still staged a battle. A 4-4 tie held with 20 seconds left, but Phipps earned a takedown and 6-5 win. Similarly, at 165 pounds, D.J. Hollingshead came up clutch for the Bison. He scored a late takedown to snatch a 9-6 finale.

Not all contests involved such excitement. No. 14 Tyler Smith (141 pounds) furthered a spotless dual record with an 8-2 decision over Crimson sophomore A.J. Jaffe. Further, the match began and ended with low-stress affairs. At 125 pounds, Hellickson picked up early points for Harvard with a 6-0 win. And at 285 pounds, Brandon Stokes limited Cowell in a 4-1 decision.

Between those poles, though, the two squads went back and forth. With the final result, Bucknell denied the Crimson a perfect start to conference play.

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.