With just one rotation left in the Southeastern Conference Championship, the Gators needed a score of just 49.225 on the balance beam to take down No. 1 Georgia, who had already finished and could only watch from the side.
But for the second time this season, UF couldn't close out the defending national champions, only scoring a 49.125.
The Gators would have to settle for a tie with Alabama-the Crimson Tide finished with their highest event total of the day on vault to catch UF-for second place.
Just like the first time the Gators took on the Bulldogs, they fell short by the smallest possible margin (.025).
While they have had their struggles on the beam this season, the Gators still entered the meet as the third-best in the nation on the event.
Despite the disappointing second-place finish, there were a few bright spots for UF.
In each event the Gators had one gymnast tie for first-Melanie Sinclair on the uneven bars, Ashley Reed topped the vault, Corey Hartung claimed a share of the vault and Amanda Castillo tied on the floor.
Although the result wasn't what the team hoped for, it does not have much time to think about the loss. UF has to turn its attention to preparing for the national championships.
The first step towards making it to the meet in Athens, Ga., on April 24-26 is finishing first or second at the regional qualifying meet on April 12.
At this meet, the Gators will get another chance to prove they can bring down Georgia.
