TUSCALOOSA, ALA - In the final home meet of the regular season, the University of Alabama gymnastics team relied on strong performances from junior Ashley Miles and senior Alexis Brion to overpower the North Carolina Tar Heels, 196.325-194.550.

"On the vault and floor, I thought we were at a championship level, not only the performance but the level of enthusiasm," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "We just need to the same on the bars and the beam."

Miles won the all-around title, scoring a 39.500, including a 9.925 to win the vault and a 9.950 the floor. Brion tied her career best to win the floor exercise with a 9.975. Freshman Terin Humphrey won the uneven bars with a 9.85.

"The last thing that Sarah and David told me before tonight was just to enjoy myself," Brion said. "It was great to finish my home season on a high. We just need to work hard in the gym and get ready for the SEC. This team is really hungry for an SEC Championship."

Humphrey and junior Mari-Christine Bayer chipped in a pair of 9.9s on the floor exercise to go with Brion and Miles scores to lead Alabama to a season best score of 49.575. UNC closed out the night with a 48.200 on the balance beam.

"We had fun," Miles said. "We had good landings. The dance was good. That's one event that we've got under our belts."

Behind a 9.9 leadoff from Hrozek and a 9.925 from Miles, Alabama got off to a 49.4 start on the vault, tying its second highest score of the season. Sophomore Brittany Comeaux posted a season high 9.85, a score matched by Humphrey. UNC started the night with a 48.375 on the uneven bars.

The Tide ran into some trouble on the uneven bars when two of its first three competitors fell, pushing them to a 48.475 total. Alabama finished the rotation off with a pair of 9.825s from Miles and junior Mari-Christine Bayer and a 9.85 from Humphrey. UNC posted a 49.1 on the vault.

"I didn't think we would be perfect, but I didn't expect the problems we had on the bars," Patterson said.

On the balance beam, Alabama got a trio of 9.8s from Hrozek, Bayer and Miles, leading to a 48.875. UNC added a 48.975 floor exercise score to its total.

It was senior night in Coleman Coliseum and the Crimson Tide played tribute to Brion, Shannon Hrozek and Michelle Reeser both before and after the meet. The three women, members of the 2002 NCAA Championship squad, received a standing ovation at meets end.

And with an attendance of 10,673 on the night, Alabama averaged 10,570 fans per meet for the season, a new school and Southeastern Conference attendance record.

With the regular season behind them, Alabama moves on to the Southeastern Conference Championships Saturday (March 26) in Duluth, Ga. For ticket information, contact the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262).

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