Huskers Knock Off Missouri

Lincoln - The fourth-ranked Nebraska women's gymnastics team notched its third consecutive win with a 195.95-194.70 victory over Missouri in front of 956 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Sunday afternoon. Behind three individual event victories, the Huskers improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Big 12 Conference, while Missouri drops to 1-2 (0-1).

Several Huskers turned in strong performances, including junior A.J. Lamb, who won two event titles en route to a runner-up finish in the all-around with a season-high score of 39.30. Lamb, a Lincoln, Neb., native, won the floor exercise with a personal-best 9.95, which tied the school record held by five other gymnasts, including Richelle Simpson, who posted the mark against Georgia in the Huskers' season opener. Lamb and Simpson also tied for first on the balance beam with scores of 9.875.

Nebraska had a season-high four gymnasts throw 10.0 vaults, as the Huskers claimed five of the top six spots on the event. All-American Gina Bruce led the Huskers with a 9.80 to finish second, marking her third runner-up finish of the season. For the second meet in a row, sophomore Libby Landgraf threw a handspring front pike with a half twist to earn a season-high score of 9.775. In addition, Tami Harris also received a 9.775 for her Yurchenko layout with a full twist. Simpson was the fourth Husker to throw a 10.0 vault, a half-on, half-off, front layout, which scored a 9.75. Although the Huskers' vault scores weren't as high as Coach Dan Kendig would have liked, their total of 48.825 was their second-highest score of the season, behind only the 48.875 against Iowa State.

"We threw four 10.0 vaults today, and they're only going to get better," Kendig said. "We need to take advantage of some of those vaults. They've done them enough now, to where they should be finishing a little stronger. Every vault that we did today, the landings could have been a little better. But that's going to come and hopefully it will be next weekend. We're so close."

With a season-high score on the uneven bars, Nebraska increased its lead over the Tigers to more than a point (98.10-97.075). After failing to break 49.0 on bars in the first three meets of the season, the Huskers posted a 49.275 as five-of-six Huskers hit. Junior Julie Houk tied with Harris for the event title as each received a 9.90. With the victory, Houk has now captured four consecutive bars titles. In addition, two Huskers had career days on the event, including Landgraf who finished third with a personal-best 9.875. Meanwhile Simpson's score of 9.85 was the highest of her Husker career.

With a comfortable margin separating the two teams, Nebraska posted one of its highest beam scores of the season. Lamb led off with a season-high 9.875, followed by freshman Jamie Saas, who posted a personal-best 9.75. After solid performances by Harris (9.775) and junior Jen French (9.775), Simpson wrapped up the event by tying her personal-best with a 9.875. Nebraska's total of 49.05 marked its highest score since a season-opening 49.15.

The Huskers were ahead 147.15-145.85 heading into the final rotation, a lead that seemed almost insurmountable as Nebraska was headed to its strongest event - floor. After strong showings by its first four gymnasts, including a school-record performance by Lamb, Nebraska's next two competitors struggled as each fell during their routines. For the first time all season, the Huskers were forced to count a fall.

"The sad thing about floor, is that we've hit every floor routine this season," Kendig said. "To miss the last two routines kind of hurt, especially at home with the home crowd and the floor. This is the best place to compete floor."

The Huskers will greet February in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the site of the 2002 NCAA Championships. Nebraska will face off with eighth-ranked Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. (CST)