In front of a large crowd at Morrow Field House, the Slippery Rock University wrestling team went out with a big bang.

The Rock wrestlers, who found out several weeks ago that their program was getting the axe along with seven other sports, knocked off No. 23 Buffalo University 21-17 Thursday night.

It was the final dual match for the SRU program and it came on the heels of another rousing win on Saturday, a 18-17 triumph over Bloomsburg.

The match Thursday came down to the final weight class.

Heavyweight Matt Burkholder, one of three seniors, recorded a takedown in overtime to earn a 3-1 win.

Freshman 141-pounder David Peinaar and junior 174 pounder Jerimiah Frederick each recorded pins.

More than 450 people were in attendance at the final dual match for The Rock, which won seven of its last eight matches to finish 14-9.

It is the highest victory total since the 1972-73 team went 16-1.

SRU is idle until March 4, when it will compete in the NCAA Division I East Regional in North Carolina.