The women's gymnastics team may have found the key to its success.

For the last three weeks, the Lady Lions have been working on their "cues," the skills that make up their routines, not the routines as a whole.

The work paid off Friday night, as Penn State defeated rival Ohio State, 191.5-186.5, achieving its highest score in team history. The Lady Lions (8-1) broke their previous team record, a 189.5, scored just three weeks ago against defending national champion Alabama.

"We have to worry about each step of the routine instead of the whole routine," Rene Lyst said. "We have to hit our cues."

Avener said the Lady Lions, ranked No. 13 nationally, are less self-conscious because they have started to believe in their cues.

Penn State also defeated Ohio State (4-8) earlier this season in Rec Hall 186-181.1. The Lady Lions now lead the Lady Buckeyes, ranked No. 33 nationally, 16-13 in the series.

The Lady Lions first took to the uneven bars. Janice Rogers tied for first place with Claire Wilson of Ohio State with a 9.8, scoring a career- and school-high in the process.

"I was a little nervous going into the meet because my warmups didn't go very well," Rogers said. "But I was able to turn that around."

Rogers successfully completed the Tkachev, a release move where she does a giant swing on the high bar, releases and flies over the bar backwards, sits up and grabs the bar again.

Lynn Crane tied with Emily Arnold of Ohio State for third place with a 9.65, marking a season-high. Coby Silver scored a 9.4, Allison Barber a 9.0, Kira Rohm an 8.7 and Jada Hiltabrand an 8.25.

Moving to the vault, Barber took first with a 9.8, also a season-high. April Polito finished second with a 9.7, matching her highest score this season. Crane scored a 9.6 for third. Rene Lyst scored a 9.5, Silver a 9.45 and Paula Bright a 9.35.

On the floor exercise, Rogers tied with Wilson for first place with a 9.7, scoring another career-high.

"They were two of my best performances," Rogers said.

Barber tied with Tracy Halstead of Ohio State for third place with a 9.6. Hiltabrand marked a 9.55, recording a career high. Lyst and Crane scored a 9.5 and Polito a 9.35.

Penn State also performed exceptionally well on its last event, the balance beam.

"The best was everybody hitting beam," Lyst said.

Lyst took first with a 9.9, earning a career- and school-record.

"I hadn't hit super-well in competition before," Lyst said. "It was amazing."

Barber took second with a 9.8, scoring a career-high. And Polito scored a 9.7 for third marking a career-high. Rogers marked a 9.65, Crane and Laurie Russo a 9.45.

In the all-around, Barber and Crane tied for first with a 38.2. For Crane, it was a career-high. Wilson took third with a 37.5.

Avener "felt terrific" about the meet. She said the Lady Lions have achieved a high level of difficulty, but have to continue to hit.