DALLAS — There was definitely a championship atmosphere inside the Burg Center during the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament as the St. Mary's University STUNT team lost a heartbreaker, 28-27, to Texas Woman's.
Both sets of fans were on the edge of their seats throughout as the teams were tied at 15-15 after the third quarter, setting up the thrilling final four routines. The two teams, meeting for the fourth time this season, were tied 25-25 heading into the final routine, and the Pioneers (16-14) called routine five. The Rattlers (9-11) won the point for partner stunts, TWU won pyramids & tosses by minor deductions to knot the score again at 27-27, and the Pioneers were awarded the point for jumps & tumbling for the upset win.
The semifinals started with the Rattlers scoring points in all four routines of quarter one, including a 2-1 minor deduction win on routine seven for the 6-4 lead after partner stunts.
Each team scored five points in pyramids & tosses, with the Rattlers once again scoring points on all four routines for an 11-9 lead.
In the third quarter, jumps & tumbling, the Pioneers closed the two-point gap, outscoring the Rattlers 6-4. TWU won round one, routine five, outright, while the other three were all decided by minor deductions, setting up the thrilling finish.
St. Mary's will now await word on whether it will advance to a fourth-straight national tournament. The Rattlers are ranked 12th nationally this week, and the field will consist of 13 teams. The announcement will be made on April 8.
