No. 3 Kentucky rifle (11-1, 5-0) fell to No. 2 Alaska (11-1, 6-1) by a score of 4,757-4,740 in its first loss of the season.
Alaska had three of the top four scorers in the match, led by Cecelia Ossi, who totaled a match-high aggregate score of 1,196 with 94 centers.
Kentucky’s Braden Peiser followed in second with a score of 589 in smallbore, along with a perfect score of 600 in air rifle to accumulate a total score of 1,189 with 97 centers.
The Cats fell to Alaska in smallbore, losing by a score of 2,649-2,367. The Polar Bears were led by Ossi and Sara Karasova with scores of 597 and 591 respectively.
Kentucky was led by Allison Buesseler, who tied for second with a score of 591 in smallbore. No other Wildcats finished in the top five.
The Cats came out on top in air rifle by a score of 2,391-2,390, led by Peiser’s perfect performance in the event.
Along with Peiser, the Cats were also led by Sofia Ceccarello and Elizabeth Probst, who each ended the event with a score of 598.
However, the Polar Bears were able to keep the air rifle event within just one point, and were able to keep their lead, winning the match.
Kentucky will head back home for its next match as it hosts No. 1 West Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8 a.m. ET.