It wasn't the break on the balance beam that ended the University of Alabama's chances of winning its first home gymnastics meet of the season. That easily could have gone under the radar since LSU also had one.

Instead, it was the No. 4 Crimson Tide's inability to stick landings that handed the No. 1 Tigers a 197.575 to 197.1 victory.

"If you look at our performance, add some improvements in landings everywhere, and we're right there," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said.

Vault was the main concern for Alabama leading up to Friday's meet, but landings on every event needed to be addressed afterward. Duckworth knows that final moment in a performance can make or break a team, which is exactly what happened against LSU. The Tigers were sticking theirs for the most part.

The fall on beam still didn't help.

Early into her routine, Wynter Childers took a stumble after a loss of balance. She hopped back up and finished her routine to receive a 9.275. Duckworth knew Childers was going to be disappointed, but the coach reminded the rookie to just let it go.

It was the first time Childers had ever competed in Coleman Coliseum.

"We all know what Wynter is capable of," fellow freshman Maddie Desch said. "We all know that she'll come back stronger next week. You know, it wasn't her time there, but I know she'll work hard and make sure that won't happen again."

That was Alabama's lowest score. Its highest score came out of the events immediately before and after the beam - both from the same gymnast.

Kiana Winston posted a 9.95 on the uneven bars and then again later on floor exercise.

"It was really cool to hear the crowd cheer really loud," the junior said. "We hadn't really heard them all night. Then, to hear them cheer really loud, it really felt like a real home meet then."

Seconds later, however, LSU's Ashleigh Gnat knocked out a flawless performance on the vault. She scored her seventh perfect 10 of her career, her third on that event alone.

Some even happened against Alabama last season.

"We've seen her do it, over and over," Duckworth said. "She has some amazing gifts. They have a lot of power on that team. It's something that is the signature of their team."

For individual events, the Tigers produced two first-place gymnasts. Gnat's perfect 10 easily gave her the vault title. Sarah Finnegan's 9.925 owned the beam.

Winston alone challenged every other event. She took first on bars with her 9.95 and tied on the floor with that same score. She also tied the all-around with a 39.6.

"We have to be proud of what we did," Duckworth said.

Alabama was able to boost its overall score from its first meet by 0.4. It increased its bars' score by 0.2 and its floor score by 0.35. Duckworth liked what she saw, it's just the little things here and there that need to be cleaned up.

So, despite walking away with its second loss of the season, the Crimson Tide far from discouraged.

"What we executed was very flawless. I mean, really, it was good stuff," Duckworth said. "I hope everyone's inspired. This team can be great."