BERKELEY – No. 17 California women's gymnastics (10-4, 4-1 ACC) edged No. 15 North Carolina 196.800-196.750 in Haas Pavilion on Friday night to remain undefeated in the Golden Bears' home arena this season. Tonya Paulsson won her third gold in the all-around, in addition to an event win on uneven bars, while Annalise Newman-Achee took silver in the all-around, along with the vault title.
 
The Bears returned to Berkeley following a four-week road swing and took on the events in Olympic order. Newman-Achee stuck her vault to set a career high on the event with a 9.900 to lead the Cal lineup. The Bears put up a 49.000 on the event and trailed the Tar Heels after the first rotation.
 
Cal shifted the momentum in the second rotation, putting up a 49.400 on uneven bars to take the lead over UNC at the midway point of the competition. All six gymnasts in the lineup posted a 9.850 or higher. Miki Aderinto stuck her landing for a personal-best 9.875 before Casey Brown, Sage Melkonian and Paulsson followed suit with stuck dismounts themselves. Paulsson matched her career-high with a beautiful 9.925 on bars.
 
Melkonian matched her personal best on balance beam as the Bears' leadoff, earning a 9.825 to kick off Cal's third rotation. Paulsson tied her career-high 9.875 to help the Bears to a 49.050 on the event. UNC took back the lead heading into the final rotation with a 0.150 advantage.
 
The Bears finished strong with their highest floor exercise score of the season, compiling a 49.350 event total. CJ Keuneke and Kyen Mayhew put up back-to-back 9.900 routines – a career high-tying score for Keuneke and a season-best for Mayhew. Cal and UNC were tied as the Bears' anchor Paulsson took the floor, setting up a scene for Paulsson to perform a walk-off 9.875 routine and clinch the victory for the Bears.
 
Cal heads to Sacramento for a tri-meet next Friday, Feb. 27 with Sacramento State and San Jose State. The meet will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT.
 
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