DENTON, Texas -- The Southeast Missouri gymnastics team came back to win in the quad meet against Texas Woman';s, Air Force and Centenary. The team scored a 191.900 to beat second-place TWU by three-tenths of a point.

"This team continues to show more fight in each meet," said Southeast head coach Kristi Ewasko. " We talk about controlling what we can control and after falls on beam and floor, I told the girls they were only down by two-tenths of a point. They needed to fight and that's exactly what they did. I'm disappointed with the mistakes, but I couldn't be more proud of the effort by this team. We truly fought for the win today!" 

The Redhawks got off to a great start, winning the first rotation. They accumulated  an event score of 48.525 on bars.Junior Lauren Israel led the way with a season-high 9.825. Freshman McKinzie Jones and Sophomore Alexis Brawner also scored above a 9.700 with scores of 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.

In the second rotation, Southeast scored a 47.300 on beam. There were three scores of 9.700 or higher. Israel scored a team-high 9.775. Jones scored a 9.725, followed closely by junior Ashley Thomas who scored a 9.700.

Southeast scored a 47.875 on floor in the third rotation. Three Redhawks scored over a 9.700, including Jones, who scored an event-high 9.825, Brawner with a 9.800 and Thomas with a 9.725. 

The team went into the fourth rotation trailing TWU by two-tenths of a point. Theyfinished strong scoring a season-best 48.200 on vault, which secured the win for Southeast. Brawner led the way with a season-high 9.800. Israel and Thomas each contributed with a 9.625.Sophomore McKenna Stanleyalso chipped in with a 9.600

Three Redhawks scored over 38.000 in the all-around today. Israel led Southeast with a 38.800, while Thomas and Brawner scored a 38.650 and 38.375, respectively.

"I also have to mention that in just her fourth meet ever as an all-arounder, Lauren Israel scored a career-high," added Ewasko. "She really came out strong and gave every event her best! I was also very impressed with Alexis Brawner, who seems to continue to mature as the season progresses! It's exciting that she's only a sophomore, and I fully expect to see continued improvement from her throughout the season!"

The team is back home this week with a dual meet against Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday, Jan. 29. The meet will begin at 6:30 p.m at Houck Field House.