AUBURN, Ala. - The Alabama Gymnastics team came into tonight's meet at Auburn looking for a good road score to solidify its national ranking and came away with its second highest score of the season, beating the Tigers 197.375-195.250.

It was the last meet of the regular season for Alabama and gave the Tide its second highest score of the season and fifth mark of 197 or better this season. It was also Alabama's third 197 score in a row.

"Our ladies did exactly what we asked them to do tonight," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "We told them that we wanted to go into the postseason on a high note, knowing that we were peaking. We were a little sluggish and started a little slow, and have been working through some illness, but I thought overall they responded to our challenge and did exactly what we asked them to do."

Freshman Morgan Dennis won the all-around with a 39.525, tying her career-best mark. Junior Terin Humphrey was second in the all-around with a 39.500 followed by Auburn's Julie Dwyer who scored a 39.475 to take third. Freshman Ricki Lebegern was just off her career best all-around score, turning a 39.450 to take fourth.

Lebegern won the vault while freshman Kassi Price won the uneven bars. Humphrey and sophomore Terin Humphrey tied for the top spot on the balance beam with Julie Dwyer while Dennis won the floor exercise.

Alabama started the night with a 49.225 on the uneven bars led by a 9.875 from Price and 9.85s from sophomore Cassie Martin and Dennis. Lebegern and Humphrey both scored 9.825s. The Tigers started the night on the vault, posting a 48.375.

Led by Lebegern's 9.9, the Tide scored a 49.35 on the vault. Junior Kaitlin White led things off with a 9.85, a score echoed by Price. Humphrey scored a 9.875 in the third spot and Dennis anchored the lineup with a 9.875 of her own. Meanwhile, the Tigers scored a 48.8 on the uneven bars.

The Tide posted a 49.425 on the floor exercise led by Dennis' 9.95, marking the fourth time she has scored 9.95 or better this season. Humphrey scored a 9.9 while Lebegern posted a 9.875. Sophomore Ashley O'Neal led the Tide off with a 9.85 on the floor and she was matched by senior Erin Rightley in the second slot. While the Tide was on the floor, Auburn scored a 49.025 on the balance beam.

After getting the Tide off to a strong start on the floor exercise, O'Neal came right back and did it again on the balance beam, matching her career best of 9.875 in the leadoff spot. Lebegern scored a 9.85 in the third spot. Magee and Humphrey closed out the event and the meet with matching 9.9s, pushing Alabama to a 49.375 team score. Auburn closed out its night with a 49.050 on the floor exercise.

Alabama has its first break in the competition schedule next weekend and then heads to Little Rock, Ark. for the SEC Championships March 31.

-UA-