Alabama Gymnastics vs Oklahoma 2015

Alabama advances to the NCAA Super Six.

(file photo)

It didn't come drama-free.

But Alabama advanced to another NCAA gymnastics Super Six while narrowly extending its winning streak over Auburn. The Crimson Tide finished second in the semifinal, needing only to make the top three. A final score of 197.1 barely got past Auburn's 197.075 to push the rivalry winning streak to 115 meets.

The Tide had a few wobbles on the final rotation on the beam to create the stress. A team score of 48.950 included a 9.550 from Aja Sims that was dropped and a 9.650 from Nickie Guerrero that counted.

Defending champion Oklahoma (197.4) and Auburn also advanced to the 6 p.m. Saturday Super Six in Fort Worth. LSU, the No. 4 overall seed, had several mistakes to miss the championship round with a 196.550 final score.

For Alabama, it's an NCAA-record 21 Super Six appearances in the 23 seasons with the format.

Alabama's Lauren Beers scored a 39.4 to finish fifth in the all-around. Auburn's Caitlin Atkinson was first with a 39.550.

The Tide led the competition before taking the beam. It had a 49.475 on the vault led by Kayla Williams' 9.925 -- the highest score Alabama recorded Friday. Beers and Carley sims also had 9.9s.

The Tide also got 9.9s from Beers, Mackenzie Brannan and Carley Sims on the floor to open the night with a 49.4.

Williams' 9.9 on the beam paced Alabama on the final rotation followed by Keely McNeer's 9.850.

"I couldn't say enough about Kayla Williams delivering on her two events," Alabama coach Dana Duckworth told reporters in Fort Worth. "She's had a lot of inconsistency this year, so for her to do that was exciting for her as a senior. A lot of you aren't in the gym and don't know what these ladies work through week after week, the injuries, it's special as a coach when you have an athlete who can step up their game like that, so I'm very proud of that."

Florida, Utah and Stanford advanced from the afternoon semifinal. The Gators and Utes tied at the top with matching 197.475 followed by the Cardinal at 197.175.

FINAL SCORES

1. Oklahoma 197.4

2. Alabama 197.1

3. Auburn 197.075

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4. Nebraska 196.675

5. LSU 196.550

6. Oregon State 195.875