PHILADELPHIA - The men's gymnastics team traveled to Philadelphia to take on Temple on Saturday evening inside McGonigle Hall. The Flames finished with a season-high score of 409.650 and defeated the Owls.

"It was certainty our best score of the year and the best meet of the year," said head Charley Nelson. "It was a solid team effort, our guys were on a mission as we were looking to walk out with a 'W' and we certainly did."

The Flames started the night on floor, as Jason Gaides and Jacob Thurber recorded top scores of 14.950 and 14.800, respectively. Gaides also notched a top-score for the Flames on pommel horse (14.700).

Brett Valin notched the best score for UIC on rings and vault with scores of 14.500 and 14.950. Teammate Trent Jarrett had the Flames' best score on parallel bars recording a 14.150. The Flames finished the night on high bar where Kyle Christiansen notched a team-best score of 13.600.

"The next step is to continue this trajectory and increase our score at every meet of the season," said Nelson.

The Flames return to action when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev. to compete in the Winter Cup Challenge (Feb. 19-21).