BOSTON - The Boston Universtiy wrestling team closed out the dual and home portions of its schedule on Friday evening, dropping a 29-9 decision to Rider at Case Gym. Wrestling in their final career dual, seniors Justin Blumenthal and Zach Johns each posted wins for the Terriers.

BU closed out the dual season with a 5-10 record and a 3-6 mark against CAA competition, while Rider improved to 11-6-1 and 6-0-1 in conference matches.

The match began at 285, where Rider's Nick Cuifo posted a 3-0 shutout over freshman Orey Hall. After freshman Bryan Matsuura suffered a 19-3 technical fall against Ryan Smith at 125, BU forfeited the 133-pound bout, giving the visiting Broncos an early 14-0 lead.

Sophomore Joey Whitaker got the Terriers on the board with a hard-fought 7-3 win over Michael Palma at 141. Whitaker recorded a takedown in each period en route to his 21st victory of the year.

BU had a great chance to cut the deficit to 14-6, as a third-period takedown by Mike Roberts gave the redshirt freshman a 5-3 lead in his 149-pound bout versus Michael Kessler. However, Kessler escaped and turned in a takedown of his own with 10 seconds left in regulation to post a 6-5 win and give the Broncos a 17-3 advantage.

The 157-pound match had a scorless first period, but Blumenthal escaped to start the second and came up with a takedown a minute later to take a 3-0 lead. Rider's Ryan Cunningham escaped 10 seconds later and was able to break away to start the third to get within 3-2.

Blumenthal sealed the match with a takedown with 14 seconds seconds left in the third en route to a 5-3 victory in his final match in Case Gym.

Johns capped his home career with a win as well, turning a early takedown into a three-point near fall and a 5-0 cushion. After his opponent, Chris Marold, rode out the second period, Johns allowed only an early third-period escape before securing the 5-1 win.

With BU trailing 17-9, redshirt freshman Chris Tripp dropped a 3-0 decision to Doug Umbehauer at 174 and senior Tom Sforza was defeated by Joe Maroney, 7-1, at 184. WIth the 23-9 deficit, the Terriers forfeited the final bout.

The Terriers will now look ahead to the CAA Championships, which will be held March 3-4 at Drexel.

Rider 29, Boston University 9
Case Gym – Boston, Mass.

285: Nick Cuifo (R) def. Orey Hall (BU), 3-0
125: Ryan Smith (R) TF Bryan Matsuura (BU), 19-3 (5:00)
133: Zack Cunliffe (R) wins by forfeit
141: Joey Whitaker (BU) def. Michael Palma (R), 7-3
149: Michael Kessler (R) def. Mike Roberts (BU), 6-5
157: Justin Blumenthal (BU) def. Ryan Cunningham (R), 5-3
165: Zach Johns (BU) def. Chris Marold (R), 5-1
174: Doug Umbehauer (R) def. Chris Tripp (BU), 3-0
184: Joe Maroney (R) def. Tom Sforza (BU), 7-1
197: T.J. Morrison (R) wins by forfeit