Final Results (PDF)
NORMAN, Okla. – The Illinois men's gymnastics team was defeated on the road by No. 1 Oklahoma on Saturday night, 433.700-417.050. The Fighting Illini fall to 11-3 while Oklahoma improves to 9-0.
"The day was definitely a move in the right direction," said head coach Justin Spring. "It wasn't perfect, but our hit percentage was way higher than the last couple of weekends. We just need to get everyone healthy."
Illinois started on pommel horse, posting a team score of 68.700. Brandon Ngai led the Illini with a 14.650, and right behind him was Michael Paradise who posted a career-best 14.600.
The Illini moved to floor for the second rotation, and were led by Sebastian Quiana's career-best 14.850. Joey Peters and Alex Diab each posted scores of 14.050 to contribute to a team mark of 70.550.
Illinois would post a season-best vault score in the third rotation, a 71.700. The Illini were paced by Bobby Baker's season-best mark of 14.800. Jacob Light turned in a 14.650, and Diab added a 14.250 for the Orange and Blue.
The fourth rotation saw Illinois on rings, where Diab posted a season-best 15.000. The Illini would turn in a 67.950 team score for the fourth rotation.
Two Illini gymnasts turned in season-best scores in the fifth rotation on high bar. Tom Gibbs' 13.800 started things off for Illinois, and Ross Thompson scored a 14.250, both season-high marks. The Illini would earn a 68.550 on high bar.
Illinois earned a 69.600 on parallel bars for the final rotation. Gibbs posted a 14.200, tying his season-best score, and Tyson Bull's 14.350 was a career-best mark.
Johnny Jacobson earned his second all-around title of the season, with a 78.900.
The final score of 417.050 is the second-highest score for the Illini this season.
"It showed the guys can rise to the opponent and hit some decent routines, and that's really all we are asking for," Spring said.
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UP NEXT
Illinois will return home for a final meet against Ohio State next weekend on Friday, March 24, at 7 p.m. CT. The meet will be the last for the Illini before the Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships at State Farm Center.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT STATE FARM CENTER
The 2017 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships will be hosted by Illinois and held at the State Farm Center on April 7 & 8. The Big Ten Championships were last held at Illinois in 2011, which saw the Illini take home the Big Ten title. Tickets are on sale now at fightingillini.com.
