Results (PDF) | Spring Interview | Bradley Interview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Men's Gymnastics went toe to toe with top-ranked Oklahoma for several rotations from Huff Hall on the Orange and Blue's Senior Day. While Oklahoma claimed the victory with a score of 444.750-433.050, Illinois secured three event titles during the live Big Ten Network televised event.

"We really hung pretty strong with Oklahoma," opened Illinois head coach Justin Spring. "What really got the best of us was the events where we had to do some last minute replacements from some injuries today. I still think we did a pretty awesome job. We continually have other guys stepping up and putting up career highs, which is awesome; that means they're improving throughout the year and putting up their best scores thus far and that's exactly what we need as we ramp up into conference championships."

Illinois opened the day on floor exercise with a team total of 73.600, the best reading the by the Orange and Blue this season, despite a last minute lineup change leaving Chandler Eggleston out of the event. Senior Logan Bradley led off for the Illini with a 14.350. Alex Diab anchored the Illinois efforts with a 15.250 to claim a share of his third title on the event this season. Bobby Baker's reading of 15.000 earned seventh place in the meet, as all five Sooner gymnasts tallied readings above 15.0.

After the opening rotation, UI held a slim 73.600-73.500 lead over undefeated Oklahoma. Illinois headed to pommel horse, where the team registered its third-best team total on the season with a 74.500 showing. Three Illini gymnasts hit the 15.0 mark on the day, led by sophomore Brandon Ngai who posted a 15.600 to tie his career high and earn his seventh title on the pommel horse this season. Bradley's final routine from Huff Hall was a big one, as the senior posted the second-best score of his career with a 15.300. Additionally, Matt Foster put up a 15.100 for a fourth-place finish on the event.

Next on rings, Illini senior Max Mayr tied his career-best score of 15.150 to for a share of third place. Diab took home the title with a new personal-best score of 15.600. The Illinois freshman has now earned a trio of still rings titles this season. UI tallied a 73.550 team mark on the event.

Oklahoma owned a narrow point-and-a-half lead halfway through the contest. Illinois headed to vault for the fourth rotation where three freshmen would be in the lineup. Diab led the Illini on the event with a new career high of 14.950 to earn third place on the day. Baker posted a 14.900 to finish fifth on the event. Senior Fred Hartville tallied a 14.100.

OU's top team score of the meet came on the rings to extend its lead to 298.650-294.350 entering the bar events on the final two rotations. The Illini would be without Baker, their anchor on both events, to finish the meet.

UI headed to parallel bars where the Illini put together a team reading of 69.350. Foster led the Illini with a new career-high mark of 14.600 and finished fifth on the event. Mayr turned in a 14.400 effort to take home sixth place. Tom Gibbs added a 14.250 to finish seventh.

Illini freshman Ross Thompson set a new career best on high bar with a score of 14.150 to tie with Tyson Bull for fourth place and lead the Orange and Blue on the event. Illinois posted a team effort of 69.350 on the afternoon on the high bar. Diab contributed a 14.100 to take home sixth place.

The Illini freshman, Diab, put together the second-best all-around showing of his career with a final tally of 86.250. The score is his best reading at a home event.

"I'm happy with the guys," stated Spring. "They got a lot thrown at them this weekend; Big Ten Network, losing a couple top guys, going against No. 1 Oklahoma, and I think they showed up pretty solid."

LOOKING AHEAD

With the 2016 regular season in the books, the Fighting Illini will set their sights on the Big Ten Championships hosted by the preseason conference favorite, Ohio State. The championships are slated for April 1-2 at the St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and will air live on the Big Ten Network.

"We have to be the most consistent team; if we can do that, our start values are enough to win us a national championship," closed Spring.

EVENT WINNERS

Floor exercise – Alex Diab – 15.250
Pommel horse – Brandon Ngai – 15.600
Still rings – Alex Diab – 15.600

NOTES

• Illinois' team floor score of 73.600 was the best mark of the season by the Orange and Blue.
• After falling during his routine for the first time of the season last week, Illini sophomore Brandon Ngai returned with a 15.600 to tie his career high score and win his seventh career pommel horse title.
• This is the third meet of the season that freshman Alex Diab has won two titles.
• The Illini notched five stuck dismounts on the day for bonus points while Oklahoma tallied just three.
• Seven Illinois person-best scores were reached or reset in the meet, including a pair by Diab (rings, vault).
• Illinois moves to 13-4 on the season with its first home loss. Oklahoma improved to 13-0.