Swarthmore, PA - Cairn University Men's Basketball team traveled to Swarthmore College to take on the Garnet in a non-conference matinee action. The Highlanders came up short to host Garnet, losing 60-73.
Cairn jumped out to an early lead as
Darnell Clowney pulled down a defensive rebound and then went the length of the floor to hit the go-ahead lay up. For the rest of the first half it was a back in forth battle with each team keeping it close. Cairn's biggest lead was 4 points, and Swarthmore's biggest lead was 6. In the first half Cairn shot an impressive 60% from behind the arc and 48% from the field while knocking down both opportunities from the charity stripe.
Cairn had a chance to cut the lead to 2 before the clock expired with a Don Sloan steal with seven seconds left, but Cairn could not capitalize. Even though the Highlanders out shot the Garnet, they found themselves down 4 points at the half, by a score of 32-28.
In the second half,
Don Sloan connected on his third deep ball of the game and instantly cut the lead to one, however, the Garnet would not relinquish the lead for the final 20 minutes. Cairn was building momentum, as they started to apply a full court press. The press and aggressive defense was working as the Highlanders cut the lead to 6 with just under 4 minutes to play. Cairn got too aggressive, as Swarthmore beat the press, made the layup and were fouled in the process increasing the lead back to 8. After a missed free throw, Swarthmore got the offensive rebound, and hit a three pointer to increase the lead back to 11. Cairn would come close, but ultimately fell by a final score of 73-60.
Omar Askia had 14 points in the second half going 3-9 from the field and 8-11 from the charity stripe.
Don Sloan finished the game with 13 points going 5-7 from the field and 3-3 from behind the arc.
JD Zamroz hit 4 three pointers giving him 12 points on the afternoon.
Cairn falls to 0-5 on the season and Swarthmore improves to 2-3. Cairn will be back in action Wednesday as they will travel to Gwynedd Valley to take on the Griffins at 7:00 pm.
