Even though freshman Allison Barber became the top all-arounder in Penn State history Saturday night, the women's gymnastics team could not muster enough strength to overcome national powerhouse Georgia, which defeated the Lady Lions, 190.55-188.70. The Lady Lions easily nipped Kent State (178.95).

"We hung right in there with them (Georgia)," redshirt freshman Laurie Russo said. "We put a scare into them."

"We looked good next to Georgia," Coach Judi Avener said. "They're the defending national champions and we're within one and a half points (of them)."

Corrine Wright, the 1989 all-around national champion and currently No. 1 in the nation on bars, won the all-around with a 38.65. But Barber was right on her heels, tying for second in the all-around with Lady Bulldog Heather Stepp with 38.55. Georgia's Jennifer Carbone took third with 37.45 point.

With the all-around score, Barber became the No. 1 all-arounder in Penn State history, edging former Lady Lions Ann Carr and Pam Loree. She also captured the Ann Carr Award, given to the gymnast who provides the most inspirational performance at a home meet, and career high score.

"I'm really impressed. Before the meet, she didn't have a particularly well practice," Avener said. "She was a true competitor. I was really thrilled to see a freshman perform with the experience of a senior."

"I was kind of unsure because I was out for the last meet," Barber said.

Although Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said her team "watered down" a few of its routines, the defending national champions still won three of the four events, including a tie for first with Penn State on balance beam.

Amid barks from its cheering fans, the Lady Bulldogs opened the meet on their strongest event, the uneven bars, and did not disappoint the crowd when they posted a 48.00.

Wright won the event with a 9.85 and teammate Heather Stepp followed as No. 2 with a 9.70. Kira Rohm placed third with 9.65 points.

Since the meet was a tri-meet, one team was given a bye as the other two teams competed on different events. So the Lady Lions also started on their best event -- the vault. Barber matched her highest score of 9.80, winning the event. Mallios took the third spot with a 9.65, while Georgia's Wright placed second, 9.70.

"I was very impressed with Penn State," Yoculan said. "It looked like the best team I'd seen in four years."

Although the Lady Lions had three breaks on beam, two freshmen, Barber and Rene Lyst, stuck to steady routines and clutched first with a 9.7. The two tied with Georgia's Stepp.

"I know I didn't do my best," Barber said of her first-place score on beam. "I still feel like I could have improved."

"I expected more of myself, especially on beam," said Russo, who broke on her mount.

The Lady Bulldogs also had their troubles, with a break in one of their beam routines. Andrea Thomas, a three-time All-American on beam, only posted a 9.25. She had some difficulty with her routine, nearly falling off after performing a handstand.

But, Georgia proved its rule over the floor exercise, on which Chris Rodis and Stepp won with a 9.60. Wright, the defending national champion on floor, stepped off the mat in her routine. She followed Rodis and Stepp with a 9.55, tying with Thomas.