Results 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 24 Illinois women's gymnastics team broke its program best beam score, as well as, Amelia Knight, Mallory Mizuki, Abby Mueller and Ruthuja Nataraj shattering their career-highs in the 197.450-196.425 loss to No. 13 Michigan State Monday night in Huff Hall. 

Mia Townes had the best vault score not only for the Illini, but tied for first in the event with a 9.85. Julia Waight continued her progression with a 9.825 in the event, and Nataraj secured a 9.80. 

Rachel Borden, Mia Takekawa and Kaitlyn Ewald were the highest Illini scorers with a 9.85 on bars, with Mueller the first to break her career-high in the event with a 9.825. 

The beam team was next and took the event by storm. Knight kicked it off with a stellar 9.925, demolishing her career-high. Mizuki was next to break her top score with a 9.95. Nataraj was the last to break her career-high with a 9.925. Takekawa finished the apparatus off for the Illini, getting a perfect 10.0 from one judge and a 9.95 from the other, ultimately finishing with a 9.975 and winning the event. 

"I'm so excited for them to be rewarded for their incredible routines," head coach Nadalie Walsh said. "They've been training like that in practice so I'm not surprised they did that, but I'm so elated they were rewarded for doing that well. This beam team has true confidence – everyone trusts them and the confidence on this event will only continue to breathe confidence into the whole gym."

Waight and Kadyn Fitzgibbon split the top Illini spot on floor, securing a 9.85. Takekawa was next, scoring a 9.825 with Townes grabbing a 9.80. 

Illinois will hit the road for a tri meet with No. 16 Ohio State and Kent State on Sunday, March 5 at 1 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.