Although they had errors, head coach Kathie Klages told msuspartans.com she was proud of the team for fighting through and coming back every time they struggled. Klages said this year has been difficult but the Spartans are improving.

Starting on bars — and winning the event — freshman Mackenzie Smith got a career-high for the second consecutive meet with a score of 9.750. Smith tied her teammate, senior Dani Levy, in the event.

On vault, Cartwright came out on top for the Spartans. Following her were freshman Elena Lagoski with a 9.725, and sophomore Lisa Burt, who scored a 9.625.

MSU’s vault team score was a 48.475, compared to the Gophers’ 49.250.

Struggling on floor — in which they usually score high — the Spartans also lost, 49.350-47.950. This was the team’s lowest score of the season. Levy led MSU in the event with a 9.750, but still did not place.

Coming back strong from errors on floor, the gymnasts posted a 48.725 on beam — their best event of the season — but it was not high enough to beat Minnesota’s 49.275.

Cartwright got the highest beam score for MSU with a 9.825, placing fourth overall. Senior Alex Pace and freshman Holly Ryan tied for the second-straight meet, scoring a 9.775, putting them in fifth. Also tying each other, sophomore Birttany Holmes and junior Ashley Noll posted a 9.675 on the event.

In the all-around competition, Cartwright was the only Spartan who placed — in third — followed by Burt, whose fourth place didn’t take her to the podium. Minnesota sophomore Lindsay Mable placed first with a 39.500 — 0.5 away from a perfect score, which is difficult to catch up to.

MSU will travel again this week and compete against Western Michigan at 7 p.m. on Friday in Kalamazoo, Mich.