Falcons Top Spartans In Season Opener For First Big Ten Win Since 2004

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team defeated Michigan State University, 194.775 – 194.075, to open the 2015 season Saturday (Jan. 10) afternoon at Anderson Arena.

The win was Bowling Green's first over a Big Ten Conference opponent since 2004, and only the Falcons second ever win over Michigan State. The Falcons last defeated Michigan State in 1984.

"We are really pleased with the overall performance today of the team," head coach Kerrie Turner said. "I think that they were really prepared. We've been talking about that all along, making sure that we are the most prepared team on meet day. It really showed. We put the work in during the fall and they were ready. As a team, we have really gelled this year, and that's made a huge difference in their ability to believe in each other."

Individually, Jamilah Ali placed first in vault with a 9.875, while Amanda Lievendag recorded the top score on bars for the day with a 9.85. Lauren Feely and Michigan State's Lisa Burt tied for the best all-around score with a 39.025. Ali's 9.875 tied Michigan State's Elena Lagoski (9.875 on floor) for the top score across the entire event.

The only apparatus that Bowling Green did not win as a team was beam (48.675 – 48.6). The Falcons did, however, win vault (48.85 – 48.625), bars (48.675 – 48.4), and floor (48.65 – 48.375).

Caroline Ellingboe had a career day for the Falcons, competing in both bars and beam. Ellingboe tied a career-best 9.800 on bars, while her score of 9.775 on beam set a new a career high.

Along with Feely, Alyssa Nocella was the only other Falcon that registered an all-around score. The 2014 MAC Freshman of the Year posted a score of 38.675 on the all-around, with a 9.800 on vault being her top score on the day.

The Orange and Brown recorded five scores at or above 9.800, and 13 routine scores of at least a 9.725. The Falcons' 194.775 was the team's best opening-meet score since BGSU won a triangular to open the 2001 season with a score of 194.825.

The Falcons will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to compete in the Ozone Collegiate Classic on Jan. 17 with Alaska Anchorage, Brigham Young and Wisconsin-Whitewater. Following the invitational, BGSU will start Mid-American Conference play with a dual meet at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 24.

Notes:
* The victory was BGSU's first over a Big Ten Conference opponent since the Falcons scored a 193.475 in 2004 at the Cardinal Classic to top both Illinois and Ball State.

* The win was Bowling Green's second ever win over Michigan State, and the first since a 173.30 – 171.7 triumph in 1984.

* Bowling Green's score of 194.775 was its best in an opening meet since the Falcons scored a 194.825 to open the 2001 season.

* Caroline Ellingboe set a new career high by posting a 9.775 on beam, and tied a career best with a 9.800 bars.

* Jamilah Ali's 9.875 on vault tied a career high.

* Katrina Carpenter kicked off the 2015 campaign with a 9.650 on vault, marking the first time that she competed in an apparatus other than floor.

* Three Falcons – Victoria Heath, Jordan Rae and Krista Walberer – competed for the first time in their respective careers.

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