Aston, PA – The Highlanders overcame a 29-19 deficit at halftime but could not get a shot through in the final seconds and fell to Neumann University 62-61. The result is the third time this season that Cairn has lost a game by three points or less.
Cairn appeared to be looking at a win from a distance when they were down 60-52 with 3:23 to play in the contest. However, the Highlanders were able to get the ball back minute later and Reuben Lacy cut the lead to 60-54 off the Knight turnover.
JD Zamroz halved the Knights' lead after another Neumann turnover with a three-pointer at the 1:37 mark. Zamroz then hit two free throws, cutting the lead to one with 58 seconds on the clock.
The Highlanders fouled so that the Knights couldn't kill time off the clock and DeShawn Lowman made both his free throws. Zamroz got the ball one more time and made another jumper, again cutting the lead to just one. Cairn elected to foul on Neumann's ensuing possession but this time the Knights missed both free throws.
With the deficit still at one, the Highlanders had 16 seconds to draw up a play from half-court. However, the Knights' defense proved too much for the Highlanders and Cairn could not get off a shot at the end.
The single point was the closest Cairn had come to taking the lead throughout the entire game. The Knights didn't give up the lead and other than 0-0, there were no ties.
Overall, Cairn shot the ball slightly better having shot 23-51 from the field and 10-12 from the charity stripe. Neumann managed 21-56 field goals and 15-22 from the free-throw line. Those five extra points appeared to be the tipping point; both teams made five three-pointers.
Lacy led the team with 16 points but was followed closely by Darnell Clowney with 15 and Zamroz with 14. Neumann's Lowman led the team with 25 points, both Denzel Yard and Lamon Church ended the game with 10 points.
With the loss, Cairn dropped to 1-13 on the year and 1-7 in the conference. Neumann improved to 9-6 overall and 6-2 in the CSAC for 2014-15. Cairn will next play this Wednesday, Jan. 21, when they host Baptist Bible College at 7 p.m.
