Jan. 22, 2000

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC women’s gymnastics team recorded its highest score of the season on Saturday night but it was not enough to overcome a sensational performance by the visiting Oklahoma. Led by Leticia Ishii, the Sooners handed the Flames a 193.300-191.000 loss.

Kim Ball had an impressive evening on the uneven bars, winning the event with a score of 9.750. She also placed fourth on the floor exercise with a score of 9.775 and fifth on the balance beam with a 9.725.

Sara Casica and Cheryl Rubinger helped the Flames’ cause with scores of 38.500 and 37.175, respectively, on the all-around. Casica scored a 9.800 on the beam, good enough for a second place finish.

The 191.000 points was UIC’s highest score of the season, with their previous high coming last week at the Ball State Cardinal Classic when the Flames tallied 190.450.

Oklahoma was led by Ishii, who netted a meet-high score of 39.100 on the all-around. Senior Amber McCracken also had a big night for the Sooners. McCracken, the defending Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, won the vault with a score of 9.875 and finished second on the all-around competition with a 39.050.

UIC returns to action at home on Feb. 6, when the Flames host Centenary College of Louisiana at 1:00 p.m.