Jan. 26, 2008

From Georgia Athletics

ATHENS, Ga. --- Behind season-high total scores, beam scores and floor scores and the nation's top individual score, second-ranked Georgia beat No. 5 LSU, 197.550-195.925, in the Gym Dogs' home opener in front of a sold out crowd of 10,224 Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia's 197.550 is also the nation's highest team score this season.

Courtney Kupets posted a 39.750 to win the all-around and help the Gym Dogs improve to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the SEC. Her 39.750 is the nation's top all-around mark this season.

"We didn't look very good in warm ups and I was a little concerned, but we performed much better in the meet," Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan said. "We have had great practices and it was good to see that carry over to tonight. We have a tough meet coming up at Alabama next week. It's always tough on the road, so we will have to perform really well."

Georgia took the lead in the first rotation with a 49.150 on vault behind Kupets' 9.925 and Katie Heenan's season-high 9.900.

The Gym Dogs increased their lead in the second rotation with a 49.325 on bars led by Heenan's career-high 9.950. Georgia had four other scores of 9.800 or better including Kupets' 9.925, Nikki Childs' 9.800, and 9.825s by Tiffany Tolnay and Grace Taylor.

Georgia led at the halfway point, 98.475-97.825.

Anchored by Courtney McCool's career-best 9.975 and Kupets' 9.950, the Gym Dogs posted a 49.500 on beam, their highest beam score since a 49.500 last year against Alabama. Taylor, Heenan and Hilary Mauro were also impressive on beam with scores of 9.875, 9.850 and 9.850, respectively. Georgia's 49.500 on beam is the nation's highest beam score this year.

In the final rotation, Georgia posted another season-high with a 49.575 on floor led by McCool's career-high and team season-high 9.975 and Kupets' season-high 9.95. Cassidy McComb added a career-high 9.925, and Abby Stack had a season-high 9.875. Mauro also set a new career-high with a 9.850.

LSU drops to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC.

The Gym Dogs will face third-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa next Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern.