March 7, 2014
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AUBURN - No. 11 Auburn gymnastics posted its second score of 197 or higher on Friday as it defeated Missouri 197.000-194.600 on Friday in Auburn Arena.
The total score ties for the third-highest mark in program history and is the third total of 197 or higher in the last two seasons for Auburn.
"We better take a little bit of confidence from this," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "This is what we see in practice everyday and it's nice to see it in a meet situation. It couldn't come at a better time."
Auburn posted a season high on beam with an overall score of 49.300. The score was the highest total ever recorded by the Tigers in Auburn Arena.
Lexus Demers and Megan Walker led the team in the event, each scoring a 9.900. Demers' beam score was one of two career bests she set during the meet, the second coming on vault with a 9.875.
Sophomore Caitlin Atkinson won the all-around title with a career best equaling and season high 39.550. She won or shared three other event titles.
Auburn's lone senior Nikki Galluzzo competed an exhibition routine on bars in her last meet in Auburn Arena.
With its 197.000 Auburn will improve its previous regional qualifying score of 196.335 by dropping the included total of 195.950 scored at Air Force.
Auburn will return to action Friday, March 14 for a rematch at No. 4 Alabama at 7:30 p.m. CT.