Final Results 

NORMAN, Okla. - Despite putting together season-best performances on three events on its way to a season-high 415.700, the Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team couldn't overcome No. 1 Oklahoma's nation-best 425.700 Saturday at the McCasland Field House. Illinois moves to 9-3 overall on the season.

The Orange and Blue got started on pommel horse and once again it was junior Michael Paradise who led the way, tying a career high with a 14.950 to claim the event title. Blake Martin (13.450), Ian Skirkey (13.300), Michael Fletcher (13.250) and Emanuele Muehlhauser (12.800) helped the Illini to a season-best team total of 67.750.

Up next was floor exercise and Illinois exploded for a season-high 72.100. Alex Diab led the way with a season-best 14.850, followed by Clay Mason Stephens (14.800, career best), Hamish Carter (14.150, career best), Johnny Jacobson (14.150, season best) and Sebastian Quiana (14.150). 

UI took to vault in the third rotation and were led by Fletcher, who exploded for a career-best 14.600. Junior Jacob Light put together a season-best 14.500 and the Illini also got 14+ scores from both Alex Diab and Stephens. Diab also secured the top spot on still rings for the 26th time in his career, as the Glen Ellyn, Ill., native registered a 14.800 to make it six-straight titles on the event to begin the season. 

The highlight of the night for the Illini came on high bar, as Illinois hit a 70.150 to blow past their previous season high (66.600) on the event. Ross Thompson and Hamish Carter both put up career highs, scoring totals of 14.350 and 14.300, respectively. Fletcher also put together a beautiful 14.150 to secure a new career high on the event. 

Parallel bars marked the final rotation for the Illini and the team scored a 66.900, marking the team's second-best total on the event this season. Jordan Kovach took the top score for Illinois with a 13.800. 

Event Titles

Pommel Horse - Michael Paradise (14.950) - ties career high

Still Rings - Alex Diab (14.800) 

Up Next

The Illini will head to University Park, Pa., for a matchup with both Penn State and Michigan. Meet competition is set for Saturday, March 16, at 3 p.m. CT. 

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