By Mary Kate Lau, SDA Communications

TEMPE, Ariz.-A win is a win, but a win over your rivals for a one-point lead in the Territorial Cup® series in head coach John Spini's farewell season in front of a record crowd is just a little sweeter than most. No. 22 Arizona State Gymnastics defeated No.17 Arizona 196.125-195.350 in Tempe Saturday afternoon. The Sun Devils now lead the Wildcats, 4.5-3.5, in the Territorial Cup® standings.

In front of record crowd of 5,865 fans for the annual co-ed meet with the Men's club team, the Gym Devils started off with a stellar performance on vault with all five vaulters scoring above a 9.800 with a 9.850 from sophomore Carissa Kraus and a 9.875 from junior Natasha Sundby. The 49.125 team score was the highest vault score for the season and the third time scoring above 49.000.

Arizona State kept it going on bars with a season-high 49.150. Kraus led the Sun Devils with a 9.875 and sophomore Kristine Levin hit her career high score for a 9.825. Freshman Beka Conrad also matched her career high with that same score.

In the third rotation, ASU would hit all six beam routines and record a team score just under 49 with a 48.975. Sophomore Risa Perez had the high score for ASU and for the meet with a 9.875 which also ties her career high that she has notched for the third time this year.

The team went into the final rotation in the lead by almost a point. They were able to stave off a strong Wildcat comeback with strong scores like senior Sammie Seaman's 9.800 and Perez 9.850 to finish the meet scoring above 196 for the third time this season.

Next week, ASU takes on Oregon State and Nebraska in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, March 1 at 7p.m. MT.