KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The Kutztown University acrobatics & tumbling team set a new season-high meet score as it gained its second straight Mountain East Conference split in front of the Keystone Arena faithful on Friday evening. The Golden Bears defeated West Liberty 221.190-208.040 and fell to Frostburg State 232.325-221.190.

In addition to establishing a new season-high meet score, the Golden Bears (2-3, 2-3 MEC) enjoyed their best performances in four events (compulsory, acro, toss and tumbling) and tied or set new season-bests in nine heats.

All three teams were evenly matched in the compulsory event, with Frostburg State (35.40) jumping out to a slight lead over KU (33.15) and West Liberty (32.25). Kutztown's best score in the event was a 9.40 in the pyramid heat.

As the meet moved to the acro event, the Bobcats and Golden Bears started to gain an edge on the Hilltoppers.

Kutztown closed the gap on Frostburg State by being the highest scoring team in the acro event with a 26.45, but the Bobcats clawed it back in the pyramid event to lead at halftime. KU got its second-highest heat score of the night with a 9.35 in the synchronized heat of the pyramid.

FSU totaled 89.55 in the first half, with Kutztown at 86.50 and West Liberty at 80.00.

The Maroon and Gold kept pace with Frostburg State in the toss event and outscored both of its opponents with a season-high 46.400 in the tumbling event to keep the results in limbo heading into the team event. Alexia Vecchiolli (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) scored a 9.100/9.550 in the 6-element pass, while Sienna Barbarisi (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) put up an 8.825/9.250 in the aerial pass.

The Bobcats would secure two victories by producing a 72.40 in the team event, more than eight points clear of the Golden Bears (64.09) and nine ahead of West Liberty (63.24).

With Friday's split, Kutztown gained a leg up in the race for a Mountain East postseason spot. The Golden Bears currently hold fourth in the standings after qualifying for the MEC semifinals last season --their first as an affiliate member.

Kutztown will return to Keystone Arena on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m., to face Hawaii Pacific for the first time in program history.