The sixth-ranked LSU gymnastics team tallied the highest team total in school history in a meet at Auburn with a 196.975, but it was not enough to overcome No. 14 Auburn's school-record 197.175 Friday night in Auburn Arena.

The 196.975 tops LSU's previous high score of 196.350 set March 1, 1997 at Auburn.

LSU (8-3, 4-2 SEC) earned a 49.550 on vault, which is tied for the third-best vault total in school history as five Tigers tied or set new career highs. LSU also hit a 49.550 on vault against Centenary on March 18, 2005.

The Tigers scored a 49.350 on floor, 49.175 on bars and a 48.900 on beam to finish with the 196.975.

Auburn improved to 3-7 overall and 3-4 against SEC competition after its program-best performance.

"We fought hard, but we made too many mistakes," LSU head coach D-D Breaux said. "Auburn had a great meet, but we did not do what we needed to do on beam. I'm pleased with the other events, but we have to put together a solid four events to be the team we want to be at the end of the season."

Both teams started strong as LSU trailed Auburn after one rotation, 49.275-49.175. Sarie Morrison anchored for the Tigers on bars, and she set a career high with a 9.95 to tie for the title. LSU also counted a 9.85 from Rheagan Courville, 9.825 by Randii Wyrick, 9.80 by Kaleigh Dickson and a 9.75 by Britney Ranzy.

After the stellar 49.550 on vault LSU took the lead over Auburn, 98.725-98.550. Randi Lau, Maliah Mathis and Britney Taylor all shattered their career highs with a 9.925 to tie for the event title, while Dickson and Jessica Savona equaled their respective career bests with a 9.875. Courville anchored the event with a 9.90, the fourth 9.9 or higher in the event for the Tigers.

LSU maintained the lead after three rotations, 148.075-147.725, with a 49.350 on floor. Courville and Mathis tied for the team high with 9.90s, and Lloimincia Hall anchored with a 9.875. Britney Taylor posted a career-high tying 9.85, and Jessie Jordan and Savona both recorded a 9.825.

In the fourth and final rotation, LSU scored a 48.900 on beam while Auburn earned a 49.450 on floor to finish the meet on top. Dickson tied her career mark on beam with a 9.85 to lead the team, and LSU also counted a 9.825 from Courville, 9.80 from Hall, 9.75 from Jordan and a 9.675 from Ericka Garcia.

"We are ready to get back home in front of our great fans and perform well against some good teams in Georgia and Alabama the next two weeks," Breaux said.

LSU returns home next week to face No. 8 Georgia in a huge SEC showdown. The meet will begin at 7 p.m. CT on March 1 inside the Maravich Center. The Tigers will stay at home the following week on March 8 to play host to Alabama in the Sixth Annual Etta James Memorial Meet.


MEET RESULTS

Team
1. Auburn 197.175 (VT - 49.275, UB - 49.275, BB - 49.175, FX - 49.450)
2. LSU 196.975 (VT - 49.550, UB - 49.175, BB - 48.900, FX - 49.350)

Individual (Includes first place and all LSU competitors)

All-Around - 1. Caitlin Atkinson (Auburn) 39.550, t2. Rheagan Courville 39.475

Vault - t1. Randi Lau 9.925, t1. Maliah Mathis 9.925, t1. Britney Taylor 9.925, t1. Brianna Guy (Auburn), t5. Rheagan Courville 9.90, t7. Kaleigh Dickson 9.875, t7. Jessica Savona 9.875

Bars - t1. Sarie Morrison 9.95, t1. Petrina Yokay (Auburn) 9.95, 5. Rheagan Courville 9.85, 6. Randii Wyrick 9.825, t7. Kaleigh Dickson 9.80, 9. Britney Ranzy 9.75, 11. Jessie Jordan 9.675

Beam - 1. Megan Walker (Auburn) 9.875, 2. Kaleigh Dickson 9.85, t3. Rheagan Courville 9.825, 8. Lloimincia Hall 9.80, 9. Jessie Jordan 9.75, 11. Ericka Garcia 9.675, 12. Britney Ranzy 8.80

Floor - t1. Caitlin Atkinson (Auburn) 9.925, t1. Brianna Guy (Auburn) 9.925, t3. Rheagan Courville 9.90, t3. Maliah Mathis 9.90, 6. Lloimincia Hall 9.875, t7. Britney Taylor 9.85, t10. Jessie Jordan 9.825, t10. Jessica Savona 9.825