TOWSON, Md. - Despite posting the highest scores on bars and beam, margins of 0.125 and 0.325 separated the Towson University women's gymnastics team from first place over the final two rotations in a quad meet with North Carolina, Yale and Ursinus Friday night at SECU Arena.

The Tar Heels finished with 194.600 points, just 0.325 ahead of the second-place Tigers while Yale (192.050) and Ursinus (187.425) finished third and fourth, respectively.

After career highs on bars from freshmen Kyla Gamble and Tess Zientek, Towson found itself in first place with 96.875 points, 0.075 ahead of UNC. However, the Tar Heels posted a 48.900 on floor while the Tigers totaled 48.700 on beam, giving UNC a mere 0.125 advantage after three rotations.

Despite career highs on floor by junior Mary Elle Arduino and sophomore Melissa Temkov, Towson had a score of 48.700 while the Tar Heels posted a 48.900 on vault to provide the final margin of victory.

How it Happened

• Senior Tyra McKellar won bars with a score of 9.825 while Arduino finished first on beam with a 9.850.
• As in the case in all home meets, Towson started on vault where McKellar led the way with a sixth-place showing with a 9.725. Junior Cortni Baker was the only other Tiger in the top-10 as placed eighth with a 9.700.
• Towson was able to take the lead after two rotations by placing all five gymnasts in the top-10 on bars, led by McKellar. Baker, Gamble and Zientek all tied for sixth with a 9.750 while Arduino was 10th with a 9.700.
• The Tigers boasted five of the top nine scores on beam, including four of the top six, led by the 1-2 finish of Arduino and senior Gabriella Yarussi who posted a 9.850 and 9.825, respectively. Senior Lauren Cahalan was fourth with a 9.750 and McKellar was sixth with a 9.675.
• Temkov was the top scorer for Towson on floor, finishing second with a career-high 9.800. However, she was the only Tiger in the top six as Arduino and McKellar tied for seventh while North Carolina had the top four scores on vault to give the Tar Heels the narrow meet victory.
• McKellar finished second in the all-around with a score of 38.975 while Arduino was third with a 38.925.

Up Next

• Towson travels to the University of Pittsburgh next Saturday, February 3 for a quad meet with N.C. State and Temple beginning at 2 p.m.