ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In its final road meet of the regular season, No. 5 Georgia fell to 12th-ranked Michigan, 196.375-195.800, Friday at Crisler Arena.

The Gym Dogs (5-5) trailed by just .125 entering the final rotation, but Michigan (11-2) sealed the win with a 49.300 on floor.

“Coming off the high last week against UCLA, we were a little flat early in the week,” Georgia head coach Jay Clark said. “I thought we had gotten it together, and warm-ups went well, but we just didn’t execute. It’s a little frustrating when you feel like you are riding a roller coaster. We just came in here and stumbled around. Yes, we made some changes in the lineup but it’s still no reason to not execute. It was sloppy all night long.”

There were only three routines between both teams scored at 9.900 or above: a 9.950 by Michigan’s Natalie Beilstein on vault, a 9.950 on floor by the Wolverine’s Kylee Botterman and a 9.900 by Georgia’s Kat Ding on vault.

Michigan took a 49.150-49.000 lead after the first rotation. Marcia Newby led the Gym Dogs on bars with a 9.850 followed by Courtney McCool with a 9.825. Christa Tanella competed on bars for the first time this year and posted a 9.800.

The Wolverines stretched their lead to 98.300-98.025 at the end of the second rotation. Ding, the Gym Dogs’ anchor on vault, had her third highest score of the season with a 9.900 while Gina Nuccio and Cassidy McComb each posted a 9.800. Georgia scored a 49.025, while Michigan scored a 49.150 on bars.

Georgia cut Michigan’s lead to 147.075-146.950 after the third rotation. McCool led the team with a 9.875 followed by a 9.825 by Nuccio. As a team, Georgia posted a 48.925 while the Wolverines scored a 48.775 on beam.

Michigan outscored Georgia 49.300-48.925 on the final rotation to pull away. Grace Taylor, who competed solely on beam, scored a 9.850 and McCool had a 9.825 for the Gym Dogs.

“Our warm-ups went well and we were positive as a team,” Taylor said. “We were sticking together, but we just couldn’t pull it out. We’re going to get ready for NC State and try to go out with a bang.”

“We wanted to capture some momentum from last week,” Clark said. “We needed a good road performance and we didn’t get it. We’ll go home for Senior Day and we’ll have to get better.”

The Wolverines’ Sarah Curtis won the all-around with a 39.375. Ding competed in the all-around for Georgia for the first time this season.

Georgia will return home for its final regular season meet Sunday at 4 p.m. against NC State. Five Gym Dog seniors will be honored prior to the meet including McCool, Taylor, Newby, Lauren Johnson and Lauren Sessler.

TEAM RESULTS
1. Michigan – 196.375 (VT – 49.150; UB – 49.150; BB – 48.775; FX – 49.300)
2. Georgia – 195.800 (VT – 49.025; UB – 49.000; BB – 48.850; FX – 48.925)

Individual Results (Georgia Competitors)
Vault: Noel Couch – 9.750; Lauren Sessler – 9.750; Gina Nuccio – 9.800; Hilary Mauro – 9.775; Cassidy McComb – 9.800; Kat Ding – 9.900

Bars: Cassidy McComb – 9.725; Christa Tanella – 9.800; Marcia Newby – 9.850; Gina Nuccio – 9.800; Kat Ding – 9.450; Courtney McCool – 9.825

Beam: Cassidy McComb – 9.175; Hilary Mauro – 9.625; Noel Couch – 9.800; Kat Ding – 9.750; Grace Taylor – 9.850; Courtney McCool – 9.825

Floor: Noel Couch – 9.775; Kat Ding – 9.675; Hilary Mauro – 9.775; Gina Nuccio – 9.825; Cassidy McComb – 9.675; Courtney McCool – 9.825