NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – The Mercyhurst STUNT team competed against No. 4 Missouri State this morning in their second consecutive National Championship. When these two sides played in March, the Bears won a high-scoring affair, 30-21. Today's contest was somehow more exciting. Both teams kept sharing points and earning two-point rounds over the other. It was close until the end, as Missouri State edged Mercyhurst, 28-27.  
 
Mercyhurst (14-8) and Missouri State (17-14) both started the day off strong. In the first round of the partner stunts quarter, the Bears capitalized on routine four and won, 2-1. The Lakers looked good and earned a few points throughout the quarter, but the Bears were just a bit better. The score was 7-3 after the first. 
 
The Lakers stepped up their game from here on out. In the pyramids and tosses quarter, they closed the gap by securing the only point of round one. In round two, MSU chose a tricky routine seven, which forced MU to forfeit the round. It did not pay off as neither team earned a point. Mercyhurst narrowed the gap in the next two rounds of this quarter. They nailed routine three and then routine two to cut the deficit. At halftime, the Bears led, 9-7. 
 
Both teams began the jumps and tumbling quarter sharing points yet again as they executed routine three. The Lakers cut the Bears' to just one for the first time since the beginning of the game as they won round two, 2-1. Prior to the fourth round, Mercyhurst called a 30 second timeout and shared points on routine six. The score was 14-12 MSU heading into the team routine quarter. 
 
In the team routine quarter, routine five began the action. MU won the first point, MSU won the second portion, 2-1, and then MU won the third portion, 2-1. It remained close throughout the quarter. Both teams were sharing points and taking turns beating the other one for a second point. After the first two rounds, the score was 21-20 MSU before they called a full timeout. 
 
Missouri State continued to do just enough while Mercyhurst put up a valiant effort to try and mount a comeback or at least tie the game. The Bears performed routine four just good enough as they defeated the Lakers, 28-27. 
 
The Lakers have another chance tomorrow morning in the elimination bracket. They play at 12:20 p.m. vs. the loser of No. 2 Kentucky and No. 3 Cal Poly. Viewers can find live coverage on Flo Cheer.