The host Denver Pioneers matched up with Iowa State as evenly as any team the Cyclones will face this season.

But the No. 11 ISU women’s gymnastics team rose to the occasion Saturday, posting 10 season-high scores en route to a 195.675-194.975 win over No. 12 Denver.

“We were really going for it and trying not to hold back,” said head coach K.J. Kindler, knowing that timid performances would have opened the door for a Pioneer victory.

“It’s the first time we’ve really been in a close meet,” she said. “[The team] kind of had to gauge the pressure and learn to deal with it; they were definitely pushed.”

On vault, the Cyclones were able to turn the pressure into a season-high team score, outscoring the fourth-ranked Pioneer vault team 49.30-49.25 with a string of season-high marks.

Freshman Lindsey Murphy led off with a career-high 9.75, followed by junior Jessica Oney, who posted a season-high 9.875 and finished fifth.

Leading the Cyclones’ charge on vault was sophomore Janet Anson, who topped all by adding an additional half twist to her normal vault, scoring a near-perfect, season-high 9.95. Teammate Erin Dethloff, who hit a career-high 9.925 to tie for second place with Pioneer Heather Huffaker, wasn’t far behind.

“We really concentrated on sticking landings this week [on vault] as always,” Anson said. “But this week it actually came together a lot better.”

The Cyclones also outscored the Pioneers on uneven bars (48.70-48.65) and balance beam (48.60-47.65), despite one fall from the bars and two from beam.

Sophomore Ashley Alden stepped up to take the lead on those events, posting career-high marks on uneven bars (9.80) and balance beam (9.875) to claim first place in each event.

“I’ve had some trouble on bars, so this meet I just really wanted to get it done for the team and show the team I could come through,” Alden said. “I honestly didn’t think about the falls in front of me, I just knew I had to hit.”

On beam, senior Abigail Richey hit a season-high 9.75 to pace the Cyclones, and Dethloff and junior Laura-Kay Powell tied for third with a pair of 9.80s.

Dethloff also placed third on the uneven bars with a 9.75.

Kindler said she felt the Denver altitude started to get to the team on the floor exercise, the only event where the Pioneers outscored the Cyclones (49.425-49.075).

“The last [tumbling] passes weren’t quite at the amplitude we’re used to,” Kindler said. “[The team] looked like they had to struggle a bit, and the rest were a little flat.”

Dethloff was the only Cyclone to place on the floor, clinching first place with a season-high 9.925. That score helped boost her to the top of the all-around podium, setting a season high 39.40, the highest all-around score for any Cyclone this season. Powell joined her on the all-around podium, finishing in third with a 39.00 total.

Iowa State improved to 6-1 and resumes conference action Friday when it hosts No. 9 Nebraska.