The NIU women’s gymnastics squad turned out their highest point total under coach Mark Sontag on Sunday but still came up short against Eastern Michigan.

For the first time since the 1999 season, the Huskies broke the 190-point barrier with a 193.225 score. The only problem was Eastern Michigan picked up a score of 193.950 to edge the Huskies and drop NIU’s season record to 0-3 (0-2 in the Mid-American Conference).

The Huskies got off to a flying start with three personal bests on the vault exercise. Rosa Marifioti, Asli Ozmeral and Brigid Kavanagh all topped their career bests. Marifioti scored a 9.650, Ozmeral scored a 9.625 and Kavanagh landed a 9.350. As good as these scores were, Eastern Michigan still grabbed the top three spots and took the vault by .650.

The uneven parallel bars were the Huskies’ lone individual event victory with a 48.100 score. Asli Ozmeral and Dannielle Dacey tied for fourth with a 9.700. Angie Fung and Laura Hale both scored a 9.575 to tie for fifth place.

Anna Gardina came through on the balance beam, picking up a 9.775 and second place. Reyna Gilbert and Hale were tied for fourth with a 9.750.

The Huskies scored their highest individual mark of the day with a 48.675 on the floor exercise. Gardina grabbed first place with a 9.825, and Fung tied Eastern Michigan’s Leah Hashimoto for third. Krisite Woodin did not place but achieved a career best 9.700 on the floor.

In the all-around final, Gilbert notched the second place spot behind EMU’s Natalie Hashimoto with a 38.650. Gardina grabbed fourth place with a 38.325.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Sontag was pleased with his team’s performance.

“Every time we seem to be on pace to get 190, someone would fall or step out of bounds and throw us off,” Sontag said. “It was nice to put everything together and see what we can do when we hit.”

The Huskies’ next meet will take place against the U.S. Air Force Academy on Feb. 4 at the Chick Evans Field House.