ERIE, Pa. -- Kutztown University acrobatics & tumbling continued its meet-by-meet progression, setting a new program-high score for the second straight week against a top-five nationally ranked opponent. This time it was No. 2 Gannon, who got the best of the Golden Bears by a a 267.760-236.865 score.

The Bears came out strong with their highest ever score in the compulsory event. A 9.65 in the pyramid heat and 9.25 in the toss heat elevated KU to a 35.90 score for the event, just 2.3 points off Gannon's pace.

Kutztown carried that momentum into the acro event, where they again set a new program benchmark with a 26.05 and kept close pace with the Golden Knights. Karah Paull's team scored a 9.00 in the seven element heat.

In the final event before the half, the pyramid, Kutztown totaled a 9.20 in the inversion heat and a 9.45 in the open heat for a new event-high of 24.70.

Gannon extended its lead at the half in the toss, tumbling and team events. The Maroon and Gold scored better than 8.000 in five of the six tumbling heats for a new program best of 48.175.

Kutztown will take nearly two weeks before Stevenson visits Keystone Arena for the Golden Bears' home opener on Thursday, March 2, at 6 p.m.