CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Southeast Missouri gymnastics team fell to Midwest Independent Conference foe Illinois State by a score of 193.850-193.550 Friday night. The squad posted a season-best on beam with a 48.775. Sophomore Alexis Brawner scored a career-best 39.000 in the all-around to win the title. 

"I am proud of the strides we made tonight with some of our routines, especially on beam," said head coach Kristi Ewasko. "We continue to build confidence and I have challenged this team to step out of complacency and really step it up next weekend. I believe they are ready to take that next step into the 194 range. Alexis had another stellar night to help push her chances of qualifying for the NCAA Regionals. She continues to improve each and every meet and yet still has more room to grow!"

In the first rotation, Southeast scored a 47.750 on vault. Brawner claimed the event title with a 9.750. Junior Ashley Thomas finished just behind her with a 9.725. Sophomores Jordan Clark and McKenna Stanley tied for third on the team with a score of 9.450. Freshman McKinzie Jones rounded out the top-five with a 9.375.

During the second rotation, the Redhawks accumulated a 48.575 on bars. Four gymnasts scored a 9.700 or better. Junior Lauren Israel led the way with a 9.775, finishing second in the event. Junior Alyssa Tucker posted a 9.750 for the second-consecutive week. Brawner finished third on the team with a score of 9.725. Senior Taylor Penzien tallied a 9.700 to finish fourth, while Jones finished with a 9.625.

Southeast rolled through the third rotation accumulating a season-best 48.775 on beam.  Jones paced the squad with a career-high 9.825. Israel finished just behind her with a 9.800. Penzien and Brawner finished in third and fourth with scores of 9.750 and 9.725, respectively. Thomas closed out the top-five with a score of 9.675 to cap the big rotation.

Heading into the fourth rotation, the Redhawks only trailed ISU by one-tenth of a point. Southeast posted a 48.450 on floor, while the Redbirds tallied a 48.650 on beam. Three gymnasts finished with a 9.700 or higher. Brawner and Jones won the title with a score of 9.800. Thomas finished in third with a 9.700. Israel and Stanley finished with scores of 9.650 and 9.500 to round out the top-five for Southeast.

The Redhawks will travel to Colorado next weekend for two meets before returning home. They will face Air Force in a dual meet on Friday, Feb. 26. They will finish up the road trip on Saturday as they take on Denver, Iowa and Illinois-Chicago in a quad meet.