PISCATWAY, N.J. - Senior Kacy Catanzaro closed out the meet with a 9.875 vault score as the Tigers (16-5) edged Rutgers University by 0.25 points, ruining the Scarlet Knights' Senior Day with a narrow victory at Livingston Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers posted a 193.45 team score to edge Rutgers (193.20) and West Chester (189.025).

Entering the final rotation, the Tigers owned a 0.275-point lead over Rutgers. In the final rotation, the Tigers were scheduled to vault while Rutgers was slated to compete on floor exercise.

“I knew how close it was,” said Towson Coach Vicki Chliszczyk. “We were aware that they had to get a floor score that was three-tenths of a point higher than our vault score. Fortunately, we have a lot of confidence in our vault team and we vaulted well.”

Senior Alyssa Dittman led for the Tigers on vault and she earned a 9.65 score. Junior Britney Russell came through with a 9.725 vault score before freshman Lauren Ross received a 9.65 on her vault. One of the Tigers' top vaulters, senior Avis Hixon, came through with a 9.75 vault score. Senior Lindsay Poplaski lifted the Tigers' hopes with a 9.775 vault score. Then, Catanzaro came through with a 9.875 on vault, the second highest score of her career.

As a result, the Tigers earned a 48.775 team score on vault and finished the meet with a 193.45 score.

The Tigers were finished vaulting while the Scarlet Knights were competing on floor.

“When we were finished vaulting, I knew they would have to get a team score above 49.00 on floor to beat us,”Chliszczyk recalled. “They came closer than I thought they would.”

On floor, Danielle D'Elia, Jenna Zito and Alexis Gunzelman were the final three routines and all of them did well. D'Elia earned a 9.80 score before Zito received a 9.825. Gunzelman finished the meet with a 9.85 but it wasn't enough as Rutgers earned a 48.80 team score, finishing the meet with a 193.200 team score.

The Tigers opened the meet on bars and posted a 48.20 team score. Sophomore Allison Antenucci was the Tigers' top performer on bars. She had a 9.775 score. Freshman Samantha Lutz added a 9.725 score.

In the second rotation, the Tigers posted a 47.95 team score on balance beam. The Tigers were led by Catanzaro, who had a career high 9.875 score. Ross and Poplaski each contributed 9.60 beam scores.

The Tigers took the lead in the third rotation. While Rutgers earned a 48.225 beam score, the Tigers came through with a 48.525 team score on floor. Catanzaro led the Tigers on floor with a 9.80 score while Russell had a 9.775. Hixon came through with a 9.70 floor score while Poplaski had a 9.65.

For the fourth time this season, Catanzaro won the all-around competition as she topped the 39.00-mark for the fourth time this year. Her 39.075 enabled her to edge Gunzelman for the all-around title (39.05). It was also the second highest all-around score of her career. Poplaski was third in the all-around with a 38.675 score.

Catanzaro also took first place on vault and beam.

“This was a very good meet for us,” said Chliszczyk. “This is a good road score for us and I'm pleased with the way we competed in a close meet. Kacy and Lindsay did well for us again. They have been so reliable all season long.”

The Tigers close out their home schedule next Friday evening when they host Pennsylvania, George Washington and Yale in the Towson Center at 7 p.m. It will be the Tigers' Senior Night as their five seniors will be honored.

COLLEGE GYMNASTICS:  1. Towson 193.450; 2. Rutgers 193.200; 3. West Chester 189.025

VAULT:  1. Kacy Catanzaro (TOW), 9.875; 2. Alexis Gunzelman (RUT), 9.775; Lindsay Poplaski (TOW), 9.775; 4. Avis Hixon (TOW), 9.750.

BARS:  1. Danielle D'Elia (RUT), 9.80;  Alexis Gunzelman (RUT), 9.80; 3. Allison Antenucci (TOW), 9.775.

BALANCE BEAM:  1. Kacy Catanzaro (TOW), 9.875- CAREER HIGH; 2. Anastasia Habig (RUT), 9.75; Stephanie Schuler (WC), 9.75.

FLOOR EXERCISE:  1. Alexis Gunzelman (RUT), 9.85; 2. Jenna Zito (RUT), 9.825; 3. Danielle D'Elia (RUT), 9.80; Kacy Catanzaro (TOW), 9.80.

ALL-AROUND:  1. Kacy Catanzaro (TOW), 39.075; 2. Alexis Gunzelman (RUT), 39.05; 3. Lindsay Poplaski (TOW), 38.675.