The UCLA gymnastics team remained unbeaten in the Big Ten with a 197.550-196.850 win at No. 15 Michigan on Sunday.
The No. 2 Bruins (9-2, 6-0 in the Big Ten) used scores on floor exercise and balance beam in the last two rotations to take the victory in front of a crowd of more than 11,000 at the Crisler Center.
Jordan Chiles had the top all-around score with a 38.925 for UCLA.
UCLA took a 49.325-49.300 lead after the first rotation. Chae Campbell started the Bruins off with a dismount and season-high-tying 9.875 score on the bars. Mika Webster-Longin scored 9.850, and Emma Malabuyo and Macy McGowan followed with back-to-back career-highs of 9.925 and 9.875, respectively. Frida Esparza had an unsteady handstand near the end of her routine but stayed on the bar, scoring 9.800. Michigan (8-3, 4-2) scored a season-high 49.300 on vault, led by a 9.950 by Jenna Mulligan.
The Bruins opened vault with two scores under 9.800. Brooklyn Moors scored 9.800 in the three spot, then Webster-Longin scored a career-best 9.925. Chiles followed with a season-high 9.950, and McGowan scored 9.800 to lift UCLA’s team total to 49.250. However, the Wolverines took the lead, 98.650-98.575, after scoring 49.350 on bars, led by Carly Bauman’s 9.975.
UCLA regained the lead after scoring 49.550 on floor exercise. Moors and Chiles closed with back-to-back 9.975s, McGowan scored a 9.900, and Emily Lee and Malabuyo contributed 9.850s. Michigan had to count a fall on beam, finishing with a 48.800.
The Bruins sealed the win on balance beam with a 49.425, sticking their first five dismounts. Lee led off with a 9.900, and Ciena Alipio and Malabuyo closed the rotation with 9.900s as well.
Michigan finished with a season-best 49.400 on floor but fell short of UCLA’s total.
UCLA will wrap up Big Ten play on Sunday, March 2, at the Big Four meet at Ohio State against the Buckeyes, Nebraska and Rutgers.
