Feb. 8, 2002

DENVER, Colo. -- The Fighting Illini women's gymansts nailed their balance beam routines to score a season-best 48.550 on the apparatus, but it was not enough as the Illini fell to the Denver Pioneers 195.200-191.975. The Illini now stand at 3-5 on the year, 1-2 in the Big Ten.

Freshman Ashley Williams recorded the top individual finish of the night for the Illini. She recorded a career-high score of 9.875 to tie for the individual title. Williams tied her career-best and junior Michelle Buranich set a career mark as the two tied for second place on the vault with scores of 9.775. Junior Jana Gallagher led the Illini in the remaining events as she tied for third on the balance beam (9.875), took fifth on the floor exercise (9.775) and finished second in the all-around (38.850).

The Illini remain on the road as they head to Chicago for a Sunday afternoon contest against UIC.

RESULTS

Vault - 48.300
T2   Williams  9.775
T2   Buranich  9.775
9    Newcomb  9.650
10   Gallagher  9.600
11   Kaufman  9.500
12   Ruffolo  9.475

Bars - 47.725
T1   Williams  9.875
5    Hawley  9.725
6    Buranich  9.675
7    Gallagher  9.600
11   Kapernekas  8.850
12   Ruffolo  8.750

Beam - 48.550
T3   Gallagher  9.875
5    Hawley  9.800
6    Dann  9.775
T7   Berg  9.725
10   Williams  9.375
12   Kapernekas  8.825

Floor - 47.400
5    Gallagher  9.775
8    Dann  9.625
9    Mesik  9.525
10   Williams  9.400
11   Newcomb   9.075
12   Kaufman  8.950

All-Around
2    Gallagher  38.850
3    Williams  38.425