Illini Drop Top-20 Contest at Michigan

Illinois scored a 195.300 in Ann Arbor on Sunday afternoon.

Women's Gymnastics January 22, 2017

Illini Drop Top-20 Contest at Michigan

Illinois scored a 195.300 in Ann Arbor on Sunday afternoon.

Full Results

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 19 Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team fell to the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines, 197.050-195.300 on Sunday afternoon at the Crisler Center. Three Illini posted season-high scores in Ann Arbor, led by junior Bridget Hodan who put up a 9.775 on the floor.

"I really proud of how the team started the competition," said head coach Kim Landrus. "We had a mistake on bars and they responded extremely well. After two sub-par events, they bounced back on beam and had six stellar performances. To me, that says a lot about their character."

Redshirt-junior Mary Jane Horth led Illinois for the second-consecutive meet, scoring a 9.85, as the Illini opened the meet on bars. Senior Sarah Lyons and freshman Rae Balthazor each tallied a 9.80 for their routines, while freshman Lindsay Dwyer scored a 9.70 and senior Erin Buchanan rounded out the Illini scoring with a 9.625. The Orange and Blue recorded a 48.775 team score on the apparatus, but Michigan would take the early lead in the meet with an opening score of 49.000.

Illinois earned a 48.650 on vault after Horth, Lyons and sophomore Lizzy LeDuc each notched a 9.750, a season-high for Lyons. Howell recorded a career-high 9.700 mark and Buchanan finished the rotation by the same score. Michigan would continue to hold an advantage over the Orange and Blue after the second rotation, 98.475 to 97.425.

The third rotation brought the Illini to the floor exercise, where the Orange and Blue were led by LeDuc's 9.825 score. Buchanan, Hodan and sophomore Brielle Nguyen each tallied a 9.775. The score marks a season high for Hodan. Howell and sophomore Haylee Roe followed with scores of 9.75. Illinois' team score on floor of 48.875 is their second-highest floor score of the season.

Illinois closed the meet on beam, posting a 49.000 team total. LeDuc continued to lead the Orange and Blue with a 9.85, followed by Hodan's tally of 9.825. Horth scored a 9.80, Howell posted a 9.775 and Nguyen recorded a 9.75.

Up next, Illinois will host the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m CT. The meet marks the annual Pink Meet and the first 300 fans to Huff Hall will receive a free pink t-shirt.

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