La Plume, PA - The Cairn Highlanders traveled up north today to take on the Giants of Keystone College where they lost an 88-60 contest. Cairn couldn't start the game on the right foot and wasn't able to recover for the rest of the game, despite a valiant effort.
The Giants shut down the Highlanders through the first half, allowing just 16 points to go through the basket for Cairn. Part of this was due to the Highlanders shooting a lower percentage from the field but a large part was also because Cairn didn't get to the free-throw line once.
Three-point shooting was also a factor for Keystone through the first 20 minutes. The Giants shot 7-20 in the first half, while Cairn was 0-2. Keystone also made seven three-pointers in the second half, contributing to nearly half of all their points for the game.
Reuben Lacy led the Highlanders in scoring with 20 points,
Omar Askia followed with 13 and
Darnell Clowney had 12.
JD Zamroz pulled down eight rebounds in the contest.
The second half looked like a different ball game for the Highlanders, scoring 44 points against the Giants' 46. Cairn started the second half on a 7-0 run and would eventually bring the deficit down to 10 by around the 7 minute mark.
However, the progress made by the Highlanders' offense was quickly shattered after and 8-0 run by the Giants on three straight possessions. Keystone held Cairn to just five more points in the final six minutes of the game as they would go on to win 88-60.
The Giants finished the game with five players in double-digit points; all of their starters. Keystone forced Cairn to give up the ball 25 times throughout the game and scored 32 points off of turnovers. It seemed like every Giant took shots from beyond-the-arc; six different players made two three-pointers on at least three attempts.
With the result, Cairn dropped to 1-15 overall and 1-9 in the conference. Keystone improved to 5-11 overall and 5-5 in the CSAC with the win. The Highlanders will next host Gwynedd Mercy University on Wednesday, Jan. 28, for a 7 p.m. start time.
