When is a win not really a win?

When you're the Penn State men's gymnastics team and you score only 204.650 points, that's when.

The defending National Champions aren't happy with Saturday's performance at McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia, despite beating Temple and William & Mary. The Owls had 202.000 while the Tribe finished with 200.300 points.

"Our guys were sloppy again, and the low score indicates that," head coach Randy Jepson said. "We're just not sharp."

Chris Lakeman continued his tear on the rings, scoring a season-high 9.650 to win the event. Performing the same routine that won him the apparatus at the Winter Cup, Lakeman was sharper and more comfortable.

"Well, you can always do better," he said. "It's a matter of how soon you can refine it."

Tobias Ekman won the high bar with an 8.600 and Matt Abboud was tops on the parallel bars with an 8.450. Ekman also finished tied for second in the all-around, recording a 50.050.

"Tobias did about all he could on the high bar," Jepson said. "We need to get his routine to score higher, but he did well for us this weekend."

Lakeman agreed.

"Hey, he hit his routine," he said. "That's what it's all about."

Alex Weber had three first-place finishes for the Owls. Weber cemented his reputation as one of the best in the ECAC by winning the all-around (51.75), the pommel horse (9.00), and the floor exercise (8.90). Rich Maguire got the other victory for the Owls on the vault (9.20).

Penn State was without the services of team captain Dominic Brindle, who is once again battling the flu. He will be examined by team doctors this week.

"He hasn't been on top of things all season," Jepson said. "And we really need him to be."

Kevin Donohue suffered a bruised talace bone and saw limited action, which hurt the Lions on the floor and the vault. Based on scores from earlier in the season he would have placed first in both events. He will rest until Big Tens in late March.

Jose Palacios competed in the all-around for the first time all year, but was shaky on the parallel bars.

As a team the Lions need to improve on their pommel horse scores. Also, Jepson believes some guys are getting tired towards the end of meets.

"We'll up the intesity in practice," he said. "Basically, the stakes are getting higher and higher every week."

"We don't want to water down the routines. We want the guys to be challenged, but we have to figure something out so they start hitting on a more consistent basis."

But Lakeman says things will improve.

"Some guys who weren't doing well in the gym earlier this season are starting to get the job done," he said. "It's just a matter of putting it together."

With a meet against the second-ranked team in the country next weekend at Ohio State, Jepson knows his guys need to start putting it together pronto.

"Somethings should be worked out by now, and they just aren't," he said.