Lisa Klein took first place in the balance beam competition with a score of 9.775, but the Redbird gymnastics team could not build off of that to get a win Sunday in Chicago as Illinois State suffered its second loss of the season at the hands of host Illinois-Chicago, 194.100 192.700.
In the final meet of their three-meet road stretch, the Redbirds, 5-8, topped the Flames in the vault and beam competitions but could not overcome high scores posted by Illinois-Chicago on the uneven bars and floor exercise.
Leading the Redbirds on the vault was Pam Hoover, who scored a career-high 9.700 and placed in an event for the first time this season when she finished third. On the beam, Denise Houda and Heather Mohler tied for third-place honors. It was the first time Houda competed in an event other than the uneven bars since a foot injury sidelined her on February 16. Mohler also posted her highest all-around score of the season with a 38.625, earning her third place in the all-around competition.
All-around winner Alyson Cacciatore led Illinois-Chicago to the win when she posted a total of 39.050, behind scores of 9.900 on the bars and floor.
The Redbirds host Southeast Missouri State on Monday, March 17, at 6 p.m. in Horton Field House.
