Junior Denise Houda posted the best overall score in the balance beam and finished second in the all-around, but it wasnt enough as No. 37 Illinois-Chicago topped No. 40 Illinois State 192.900-192.450 in gymnastics action at UICs Physical Education Building, Saturday.
With the loss, the Redbirds drop to 7-8 on the season.
Houda tallied a score of 9.800 on the beam just ahead of teammate Carlee Wright, who registered a 9.775. The Redbirds rolled on the beam with five among the top seven scorers and out-scored UIC, 48.325-47.300, in the event. Houda led the Birds again in the floor exercise. She finished with a 9.750, good for a second-place tie, and compiled a 38.600 for her second-place finish in the all-around.
Junior Heather Mohler also paced the Birds with a first-place performance on the vault. She led the field with a 9.775 effort, while Sarah Anderson had her best score of the season with a 9.675.
The uneven bars proved to be a critical area for the Redbirds, as the Flames claimed the first three spots. Kristy Kreinbrink led the Birds with a 9.650, good for fourth. Erin Cunningham had her top performance of the season on the bars with a 9.600.
Illinois State returns to action on March 16, when the Redbirds host the State Championships in Redbird Arena. The event is slated to start at 7:00 p.m.
