Sparks Fly in the Marriott Center as Cougs take down Thunderbirds 195.650-195.175

No.27 BYU women's gymnastics defeated No.36 SUU in front of a packed crowd at the Marriott Center for a Taylor Swift Eras themed night.

BYU vs SUU gymBYU vs SUU gym

PROVO, Utah  — No.27 BYU women’s gymnastics scored a 195.650 to take home the win against in-state foe SUU Friday evening for a Taylor Swift Eras themed competition at the Marriott Center.

Anysaa Alvarado earned the highest score on the uneven bars in tonight’s competition with a 9.875, while teammates Melissa Earl, Kylie Eaquinto and Sydney Benson scored the highest mark on the vault with 9.800s. 

BYU started the night off in STYLE with vault. Senior Elease Rollins scored a season-high 9.775. The Cougars then had three back-to-back-back 9.800 from Earl, Benson and Eaquinto. Following the first rotation, BYU was in the lead 48.875-48.225. 

The Cougars were FEARLESS on the uneven bars in the second rotation. Allix Mason opened the rotation with a 9.850. Freshman Alilah Alvarado followed with a 9.800, tying her career high for the third time this season. Her sister Anyssa Alvarado led the Cougars with a 9.875 and Anna Bramblett anchored with a 9.850 for a team bar score of 49.100. 

BYU held their lead through the second rotation, 97.975-97.000. 

The Cougars didn’t CALM DOWN as BYU entered the third rotation on the balance beam. Eliza Millar-Crossman and Brynlee Anderson earned a pair of 9.800’s for the Cougars. 2022 All-American on beam Elease Rollins led the team with a 9.850 and BYU earned a beam score of 48.900.

BYU maintained the narrow lead over Southern Utah through the third rotation, 146.875-146.050. 

Although BYU started slow on the floor rotation, the back half of the lineup stepped up, with a 9.850 from Heidi Schooley, and a 9.825 from Benson.

Up next, the Cougars head to Cedar City to take on the Thunderbirds on their home turf Monday evening at 7 p.m. MT. The meet will be streamed on Overnght.