LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's gymnastics team will return to the friendly confines of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum for its third home meet of the season when the Aggies take on Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference rival Southern Utah on Friday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.

Under third-year head coach Nadalie Walsh, Utah State is 2-2 at home against ranked opponents.

These same two teams met last week in Cedar City, with the Thunderbirds (2-2, 1-0 MRGC) rallying for a 195.275-194.900 victory. The Aggies (2-1, 0-1) led after the first two rotations in the meet.

"Last week we barely lost, so that just gave the whole team more motivation to go out and stick our landings and be better this time around," freshman Madison Ward said.

Friday is Greek/HURD night at the Spectrum. Free bacon will be provided to all HURD members in attendance. In addition to that, HURD members who scan their rewards card before the meet starts will get 40 points for HURD awards.

The Greek chapter with the best attendance at the meet will win a traveling trophy and a pizza party with the gymnastics team following the meet.

Fans arriving early to the meet will also have a chance to win a $100 Walmart gift card and a free Princess Ball registration. To enter for either prize, you must register at the west entrance promotions table before the start of the first rotation.

"We are excited to have the support of the other organizations on campus," Walsh said. "The team has been doing a great job and have been on an upward swing. All the fans in attendance will get to see a really good show."

Ward made her collegiate debut last week against Southern Utah, competing on both bars and vault. The native of Rexburg, Idaho, recorded a 9.775 on bars to tie for fifth.

"I was really excited and a little nervous at the same time," Ward said. "But, I had a blast and it was fun feeling all the energy and competing. My warmups didn't go too well on bars, so I was a little nervous going to compete. I just had to remember that I had done my routine for over five years, so it was nothing new to me and I went out and gave it my best. I didn't even know the score until I got on the bus and asked, `Did anyone see my score on bars.' They told me and I was pretty excited about that."

A week ago against Southern Utah, the Aggies recorded a season-high team score. Utah State notched a 48.450 on vault, a season-high 49.100 on bars, a season-best 49.000 on beam and a 48.350 on floor for the night. The Thunderbirds posted scores of 48.900 on vault, 48.500 on bars, 48.950 on beam and a 48.925 on floor.

"We're looking really good, but we need to focus on our landings and making sure we stick them," Ward said.

Scott Bauman is in his 25th season at the helm of the Southern Utah gymnastics program. Bauman is a 1990 graduate of Utah State and was a student assistant coach under former Aggie head coach Ray Corn. He spent seven years as both an undergraduate and graduate assistant in Logan.

Utah State is 39-44 all-time against Southern Utah, including 22-11 at home, 12-18 on the road and 5-15 at a neutral site. The Thunderbirds have won five straight in the series. Utah State's last victory against Southern Utah came during the 2014 campaign, 196.000-195.550 on March 14 at the Spectrum.

For those who can't attend Friday's meet in person, it will be streamed live at utahstateaggies.tv and at no cost for fans. Additionally, live scores will be available at www.utahstateaggies.com/livestats/wgym/20160129.html.

For USU gymnastics ticket information, contact the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305, or online 24 hours a day at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow the Aggie gymnastics program at twitter.com/USUGymnastics, on Facebook at Utah State Gymnastics, and on Instagram at USUGymnastics. Fans can also follow the USU athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at UtahStateAthletics.