What do you do when your best isn’t good enough?

No. 2 Oregon acrobatics and tumbling (5-2) had thrown down a season-high final score. The Ducks put up a perfect-10 in what was likely their premier event. They even scored a season-high to close in the team event.

It just wasn’t enough. The Ducks fell, once again, at the hands of No. 1 Baylor (9-0), 287.795-283.305. This time, it was in the Bears’ den, in Waco, TX, before an NCATA-record crowd.

Oregon put up dual 9.850 scores in the compulsory event and scored 37.45 points, but couldn’t take an early lead. Baylor managed two scores at or above 9.90 in the event, including a 9.95 in compulsory toss, to surge into a lead it’d never lose.

The acro event was one of legend. Oregon put up its best mark in the event since 2021 (the last time they beat Baylor). Freshman duo Cassidy Cu and Angelica Martin pushed their new five-element skill to unprecedented heights — a season-high 9.90. 

They were matched by teammates Bethany Glick and Bella Swarthout, whose seven-element skill earned the same score. Oregon head coach Taylor Susnara inserted the skill into Oregon’s meet in midseason and the two haven’t yet scored lower than 9.60 in four meets.

Once again, though, Baylor was better.

The Bears scored two perfect-10s in five and seven-element acro to earn 29.70 points in the event and hold onto their advantage. The lone imperfect score, a 9.70 in six-element acro, was still higher than Oregon’s 9.50 in the heat.

It only got wilder. Oregon scored its second perfect-10 of the season in the open pyramid — potentially the Ducks’ best event — to close the half. Paired with a 9.85 in the inversion heat and a 9.90 in the synchronized heat, Oregon had its highest score in the event (29.75) since 2022.

It didn’t matter. The Bears rose to unprecedented heights, scoring three-straight perfect-10s to earn a 30.00 score in the event. They’ve only done it once before…against Oregon in 2015. The Ducks still trailed by 1.70 points at the break. It seemed impossible.

Baylor raced out of the gate in the toss heat and won the event (it wouldn’t lose a single one), 29.40-29.75. Oregon managed a 9.95 in the open toss, but it wasn’t enough to gain any ground — instead, the Ducks’ grip was slipping.

It’s normally the tumbling event where Oregon, if trailing, has a chance to claw back into a lead. Usually, the Ducks have a hefty start value advantage — they’re one of very few programs who can set all six start values at a 10.0.

Baylor, of course, is another.

Oregon fueled its event with a 9.900 in the open pass and 9.925 in the six-element pass, but it wasn’t enough. Baylor scored 9.975 in its final pass to win its fifth-straight event.

But, for all of the event losses, Oregon had hung with the champs. It got to the team event, trailing by just 2.35 points. They just had to give them their best shot.

That’s what the Ducks did. Oregon threw its best team event since 2018 in the Bears’ face — a 99.430 score. It had to be enough.

It wasn’t. 

One last time, the Bears were just an inch better. They scored 101.57 to seal victory at home and down the Ducks for the second time in 2025.

The two best programs — undoubtedly — in the NCATA are on a collision course. Twice this season they’ve battled, and Baylor has twice emerged victorious. If they hold their top-two seeds and win out in this month’s NCATA Championship quarter-and-semifinals, they’ll find themselves set for a third battle.

This time, it was for pride and momentum. 

Next time, it’s for the championship.