SALT LAKE CITY, Utah- Despite the adversity of having to travel and compete on the same day, the No. 6 California women's gymnastics team managed to top its average score Friday night in a loss to No. 4 Utah. The Bears (9-1-2, 3-1-2) posted their third-highest score of the season with a 197.550, while the host Red Rocks (11-2, 4-1) were granted a 198.550.
 
The journey began Thursday afternoon when Cal saw its flight to Salt Lake City, Utah canceled due to weather, and was forced to fly out early Friday afternoon and compete just hours later. In front of a raucous Utah crowd, the Bears rose to the occasion topping their NQS of 197.500 and improving that mark to 197.535. Their 197.550 is the highest score achieved by an opposing team in the Jon M. Huntsman Center this year.
 
Sophomore Maddie Williams was as consistent as ever posting two scores of 9.950 on bars and beam to take second in the all-around race with a career-high 39.625 that tied the fourth-highest score in program history. Her bars score earned her a share of the event title.
 
The night began on bars for the Bears where they posted their fifth-highest total in school history with a 49.575. Both Williams and junior Andi Li notched a 9.950 to tie for first. Williams has now recorded six-straight routines of 9.900 or better and Li has hit that mark in every meet this season. Their efforts gave Cal a 49.575-49.525 lead heading into the second rotation.
 
The Bears failed to eclipse the 9.900 mark on vault with Williams, senior Nevaeh DeSouza, and sophomore Mya Lauzon leading the team with a 9.850 that was good for a share of fourth place. Their 49.150 as a team dropped them behind the Red Rocks 99.125-98.725 as both programs headed into the third rotation.
 
On floor, Cal saw freshman eMjae Frazier record a 9.900 in the sixth spot of the lineup, her fifth 9.900+ of the season and fourth in the last five meets. Sophomore Jordan Kane was the low-score on the event but at the drop of the hat joined the starting lineup and completed her routine with a 9.775 in her floor debut. A 39.325 by the Bears saw them trail 148.875-148.050 heading into the final rotation.
 
The balance beam brought the second-highest score of the season and third-highest score all-time for Cal as the team finished strong with a  49.500. DeSouza led-off for the third time of the night and recorded a 9.900 followed by Williams and Lauzon who each recorded a 9.950. It was a career-high for Williams as she locked the silver medal in the all-around.
 
With the final Pac-12 dual meet in the books, The Bears will now have three-straight quad meets to close out the 2023 regular season.