GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Mizzou gymnastics team scored a season best 195.975 as the Tigers fell to the No. 4 Florida Gators (198.225-195.975) Friday night at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla. Missouri's team score was the highest for the squad in almost years, when the Tigers posted a 196.026 in the 2012 Big 12 Championship (March 24, 2012).
Missouri also tallied a 49.150 on beam to close the meet, the highest score on that event since March 23, 2013, when Mizzou posted a 49.250.
With the loss, the Tigers fell to 5-4 overall and 0-4 in the Southeastern Conference, while the Gators improved to 5-1 and 4-1.
Starting the meet on bars, the Tigers notched their second best score on the event this season with a 48.925. Junior Miranda Eubank led the squad with a 9.825, a tally just off her season high. Senior Becca Johnson posted a 9.800 for her fifth score of at least 9.800 on the apparatus in 2015. Also with strong routines for Missouri were senior Briana Conkle (9.775), freshman Becca Schugel (9.775) and redshirt Katelyn Trevino (9.750).
Moving to vault, the Tigers scored a 48.900 to up the team's season average on the event to 49.954. Senior Laura Kappler scored team best 9.850, her fourth meet in a row with a 9.800 or higher. Trevino and freshman Shauna Miller each had 9.825s, while Schugel and sophomore Angie Kern had scores of 9.700 apiece.
For the third time this season, Missouri recorded at least 49.000 on floor, with a 49.000 on the event in the third rotation. Senior Laura Kappler scored a 9.850 for the second week in a row to tie her floor career high. Conkle notched her second best floor score of the year with a 9.825, while freshman Kennedi Harris tallied a 9.800, the fourth meet in a row she reached a 9.800 or higher. Additionally, Schugel went 9.775 and Kern had a 9.750.
Missouri's stellar night finished on a high note with a season high 49.150 on beam. Three Tiger freshman all scored 9.850s on the event to lead Missouri: Miller, Tia Allbritten and Kelli Martin. Martin's routine came in her official Tiger debut, while Allbritten's was good enough for a career high and Miller tied her personal best. Kappler and Schugel also posted scores of 9.800, while sophomore Alyson Heimsath opened the rotation with a 9.700.
The Tigers return home on Friday, Feb. 20, when the team hosts No. 9 Auburn at 7:45 p.m. CT. The meet will be televised live on the SEC Network, with John Roethlisberger, Alicia Sacramone-Quinn and Ashley Lee on the call.