BYU snags narrow win over MRGC champion Boise State

PROVO, Utah – No. 16 BYU achieved three season highs and five career highs to beat current MRGC champion Boise State, 196.350-196.150, on Saturday night at the Smith Fieldhouse.

BYU vs. Boise State Final Results

This stands as the fourth week in a row the Cougars have finished with a score above a 196.000.

"We had a great start and a great finish," head coach Guard Young said. "That start has kind of been elusive for us, so it was nice to see that, but now we have to get better in our middle. We're closer to solidifying our lineups."

In the first rotation, BYU took on vault where senior Shannon Evans led with a team-high score of 9.850. Additionally, junior Haley Pitou tied her season-high score of 9.825 for the third week in a row. However, the Cougars sat .200 behind as Boise State tied its season-high uneven bars score of 49.325.

The second rotation on the uneven bars began with a hiccup after junior Helody Cyrenne and freshman Anyssa Alvarado had minor falls to finish with a 9.225 and 9.250, respectively. Junior Abby Stainton achieved a career-high of 9.925, while Evans led the team with a season high of 9.950, tying her career high. With a total score of 48.700, the gap widened with the Broncos leading 98.325-97.825.

Beam went well for the Cougars as they earned their second-highest beam score of the season, a 49.150. Freshman Elease Rollins finally made her debut in the BYU lineup after performing three exhibition routines, picking up a new career high of 9.875.

"She has worked so hard as a walk-on freshman coming in," Young said. "Her performance was a highlight for me. If you watch her compete, she's up there smiling. It warmed my heart."

Sophomore Sadie Miner continued the momentum, matching the score and earning a career high. Evans contributed with a 9.875 to make it a three-way tie for the team-high score. Anxiety heightened as BYU entered the final rotation down by .525.

On floor, Stainton started strong and earned her second career high of the night with a 9.875. Senior Briana Pearson matched this score, tying her season high. A highlight included sophomore Brittney Vitkauskas setting a career-high 9.900 to lead the team. Ultimately, two falls by Boise State on beam coupled with BYU's second-highest floor score of the season, of 49.400, secured a Cougar win by .225.

In addition to the narrow victory, Evans won the all-around with a new season high of 39.550.

Coming up, the Cougars head to Colorado to take on No.5-ranked University of Denver on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. MST in the Hamilton Gymnasium.