Finally.

The women's gymnastics team did more than achieve its goal Saturday night of performing well before a home audience. It performed extraordinarily well and marked a 191.95, the highest score in team history.

The Lady Lions (16-3) swept all four events, defeating Rutgers (10-12) and Temple (12-14).

"We've been performing so much under our potential at home this season," Coach Judi Avener said. "They wanted to crack that jinx and prove that they're a good team."

The team's previous high score was a 191.5, set a month ago at Ohio State.

Before Saturday's meet, the Lady Lions were performing inconsistently, scoring better on the road than at home.

With this new high score, the Lady Lions could increase their seeding into the Northeast Regionals and NCAA Championships. After next weekend's Atlantic 10 Championships at George Washington, a team average is determined by averaging the scores of two home meets, two away meets, and any other meet.

Penn State's performance may have had something to do with Saturday's competition being the last meet of the regular season and the last home meet for the seniors.

"I think the seniors did a great job," Avener said. "It's a bittersweet thing; It's sad to see them go but it makes me proud."

The Lady Lions competed first on the vault. Paula Bright and Coby Silver tied for third with a 9.6. Silver also tied her career high. Lynn Crane took second with a 9.65 and Allison Barber took first with a 9.75. Rene Lyst scored a 9.5 and April Polito a 9.3.

Moving to the uneven bars, Penn State acheived a combined score of 47.9, setting a new school record. The previous record was a 47.8, set against New Hampshire last season.

Polito scored a 9.6 on the bars for third place and a new career high. Crane took second with a 9.65 and Kira Rohm took first with a 9.8, achieving her highest score this season and tying the school record.

"We took out the release move that was giving me trouble and we worked on some new tricks to go for a higher score," Rohm said.

Laurie Russo competed on the bars for the first time, scoring a 9.5. Jada Hiltabrand scored a 9.35 and Barber took a 9.1 because she overextended and fell off.

"I really wanted to make my routine but I stopped thinking about my 'cues,' " Barber said. "The only words that came to my head were 'I've got to be aggressive.' "

On the balance beam, Lyst took third with a 9.65, Polito scored a 9.7 for second and Barber scored a 9.8 for first, both tying career highs. Marianne Kreisher scored a 9.5, marking a career high, while Crane took a 9.15 and Laurie Russo scored an 8.95 because she fell off.

The Lady Lions showed personality and excitement on the floor exercise. Hiltabrand took third with a 9.65, tying her career high. Barber took second wiht a 9.7 and Bright placed first with a 9.75, also tying her career high.

"Every meet I've been scoring higher," Bright said. "I think Judi put me in at the end to try for an even higher score."

Also on the floor, Crane scored a 9.55, Rogers a 9.5 and Lyst a 9.25.

In the all-around, Temple's Sandra Mitchell took third place with a 37.85. Crane took second with a 38.0 and Barber placed first with a 38.35.

Rohm received the Anne Carr award for her inspirational bar routine.