BATON ROUGE, La. ? The University of Kentucky gymnastics squad came away with its strongest performance of the season despite a tough loss to No. 13 LSU (8-4, 2-1), 195.875-194.675. The No. 18 Cats (7-2, 1-2) were led by junior Krystle Cook who posted a career-best 39.175 in the all-around competition.

On the first rotation, Kentucky started on bars where Cook and freshman Natalie Rubinstein paced the team with back-to-back 9.825s to tie for third. UK?s team score of 48.625 was above its season average of 48.330.

On vault, Kentucky went above its season average again, posting a team score of 48.975. Cook tied for first with her fourth career 9.9, followed by Rubinstein with a career-high 9.875. After two rotations, Kentucky trailed the Tigers 98.025-97.600.

On floor, the Cats posted a season-high 48.975 and took advantage of some LSU mistakes on beam to pull within .50 of the Tigers, 146.500-146.450, after three rotations. Cook led the team with a 9.850, while the remaining four Cats registered 9.750s.

Kentucky closed out the meet on beam with freshman Heather Hite notching her second career 9.9 to tie for first. Kristen O?Shields tied a season-best with a 9.825.

LSU?s April Burkholder and Kelly Phelan tied for first in the all-around competition (39.425) followed by Cook in third. Senior Lucy Burgin finished fourth with a season-best 38.525.

The Cats return home to Memorial Coliseum to take on nationally ranked Florida, Fri., Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.