ITHACA, N.Y. -- Sixth-ranked Lehigh took advantage of the absence of Cornell's two top-ranked wrestlers and snapped the Big Red's 47-match EIWA win streak with a 25-13 win on Saturday evening at the Friedman Wrestling Center. The Mountain Hawks improved to 11-1 with the triumph, while Cornell slipped to 3-4.

Lehigh earned 11 team points between a forfeit at 133 due to a Nahshon Garrett injury and a technical fall win at 184 after Cornell used John Jay Chavez, a 165-pounder, instead of undefeated Gabe Dean against No. 3 Nathaniel Brown. Dean missed the contest due to illness.

Despite the loss, Cornell pulled a pair of upsets and lost another tossup match by a single point. Junior Brian Realbuto, who has been ranked as high as No. 1 at 174 this season, earned a dominant major decision victory over Elliott Riddick at 174 for Cornell's lone bonus point victory of the day, while both Duke Pickett (165) and Owen Scott (197) earned wins over ranked wrestlers.

Realbuto, who defeated Riddick by a 1-0 score earlier this year at the Binghamton Open, was able to open the match up early with a takedown and four back points and steadily built on the lead while never being challenged. Pickett used a late takedown and riding time for avenge an early-season loss to No. 15 Ryan Preisch and Owen Scott took down No. 14 John Bolich in overtime, 3-1.

Junior Dylan Palacio got the Big Red on the board with an 8-4 win at 157 over Ian Brown after Lehigh jumped out to a 16-0 lead, thanks in part due to the forfeit at 133. Darian Cruz, ranked No. 14 at 125, used a late takedown of Dalton Macri to secure a major decision, then Cruz's brother Randy, the 18th-ranked wrestler at 141, was able to hold off Mark Grey, 4-0. Laike Gardner also earned a late takedown to fend off Joey Galasso at 149, 8-7.

The two teams, who have won the last 14 EIWA titles combined, are expected to battle for the top spot for a 15th straight year. The dual meet win for the Mountain Hawks give them a leg up in qualifying for the EIWA's spot in the National Duals.

Cornell closes out its home dual meet schedule when it continues Ivy League competition against Columbia on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Friedman Wrestling Center. The Big Red will also host Oklahoma State on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. at Newman Arena in a match that will be simulcast on ESPN3 and the Ivy League Digital Network.

---

Lehigh 25, Cornell 13
Jan. 23, 2016 * Friedman Wrestling Center
125: #14 Darian Cruz (L) won by major decision over Dalton Maci (C), 12-3
133: Mason Beckman (L) won by forfeit
141: #18 Randy Cruz (L) won by decision over Mark Grey (C), 4-0
149: Laike Gardner (L) won by decision over Joey Galasso (C), 8-7
157: Dylan Palacio (C) won by decision over Ian Brown (L), 8-4
165: #19 Duke Pickett (C) won by decision over #15 Ryan Preisch (L), 5-2
174: #7 Brian Realbuto (C) Won by major decision over Elliott Riddick (L), 11-0
184: #3 Nathaniel Brown (L) won by technical fall over John Jay Chavez (C), 16-0
197: Owen Scott (C) won by decision over #14 John Bolich (L), 3-1 (OT)
285: #14 Max Wessell (L) won by major decision over Jeramy Sweany (C), 14-6