The ISU gymnastics team lost its final home meet of the year to the Minnesota Gophers, 194.950-194.425. Iowa State held the lead halfway through the meet, but two falls on the balance beam proved too costly to overcome.

“It’s so frustrating – you don’t even know,” said junior Jasmine Thompson. “We worked so hard in the gym, but when we got here we made a couple of mistakes – and that can throw you off from a win. We just have to get more consistent.”

Assistant coach Jay Santos said his team put up a decent score, but took a step back from last week’s performance when they beat Iowa.

“It’s hard to play catch-up when [Minnesota’s] hitting real well – it’s tough,” Santos said. “When someone takes the lead and then doesn’t let go of it, what are you going to do?”

Iowa State (1-6) took an early lead in the first rotation, recording a score of 48.675 on the vault. Thompson posted the highest score for the Cyclones with a 9.775 – Thompson’s highest since the season opener against Nebraska. After the first rotation, Iowa State led 48.675-47.925.

Iowa State held onto the lead in the second rotation with an impressive 48.300 on the uneven bars. Sophomore Nikki Dilbert tied a career high with a 9.850 score to lead the Cyclones. Halfway through the meet, Iowa State was leading 97.325-96.750.

The lone senior stepped up big on senior night in her performance on bars. Kristy Bellinger scored a career-high 9.675 in her final routine in front of the home crowd.

“This routine today has been a real long time coming, and I’m so happy and excited to see it,” Santos said of Bellinger’s performance. “I’m so proud of her. It was just a terrific routine from a kid who has worked so very hard to get into a position like this.”

Minnesota (4-3) took the lead in the third rotation with a dominating floor exercise. The Gophers posted a 48.975, while the Cyclones scored a 48.275 on the balance beam. After a couple of falls put them in the hole, Iowa State received two clutch performances from their final two performers, Thompson and sophomore Katie Sweetin. Heading into the final rotation, Iowa State trailed Minnesota 145.725-145.650.

Minnesota was nearly flawless on the balance beam in the final rotation to lock up the win. All Gopher gymnasts scored at least 9.775, and they posted a 49.225 team score. Iowa State received a 48.775 on floor but still lost the meet.

Once again, Dilbert was the catalyst for the Cyclones. Dilbert won third place in the all-around competition with a 39.125 and won first place on floor exercise with a 9.875.

“I started off a little slow on vault, and then I had to get aggressive and attack everything else and really work for the rest of my scores,” Dilbert said.

The Iowa State gymnasts will travel to Iowa City Friday to take on the Hawkeyes.