LANGHORNE, PA- Hosting All-American candidate Tyheim Monroe and the nationally-ranked Cabrini Cavaliers, Cairn faced their toughest test of the young season. Despite their best efforts, and Malachi Hall's truly incredible triple-double, the Highlanders fell to Cabrini by a final score of 70-80.
 
In front of a boisterous home crowd, the Highlanders sprung out to a 13-6 lead in the early goings of the contest; using various slashing attacks from Malachi Hall and Jordan Koczman's typical midrange prowess to take the lead. No stranger to high-pressure contests, the Cavaliers fought back behind a perfect 7-7 start from Deryl Bagwell and a first half double-double from Tyheim Monroe. The tide turned negatively for Cairn when standout guard Julian Collazo tumbled to the floor, landing awkwardly after a twisting layup. Collazo, who appeared headed for a huge performance with 7 points in the first 10 minutes, would sit the rest of the game; a huge loss for Cairn as the junior acts as the driving force behind the Cairn offense and plays with an edge that often sets the tone for the Highlanders efforts. Needing an increased effort across the board, Malachi Hall took up the mantle, nearly finishing with a triple-double in the first half, in addition to his usual stifling defense.  
 
Trailing by 8 points at the break, Cairn would benefit greatly from the emergence of guard Clarence Brunot, who made his mark with 7 points and played with a confidence that belied his relative inexperience. When Eric Jacobs splashed a three pointer five minutes into the second half, the Highlanders were back on top, 48-47, staying alive despite the loss of Collazo. Cairn called Jordan Koczman's number repeatedly in the second half, and the junior answered the call, utilizing his unorthodox postgame and soft touch from midrange to tally 12 points and 8 rebounds in the second half and keep Cairn's offense moving. Both teams battled incredibly hard, but ultimately clutch three-pointing shooting from the Cavaliers' would lend the final push needed to pull ahead and obtain the win by a final score of 80-70.
 
Hall had a LeBron-esque night for the Highlanders with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, including an incredible chase-down effort that he met at the top of the square. Jordan Koczman stepped up with his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Brunot also finished with 9 points. With an unknown timetable for Collazo's return the Highlanders will need increased production to fill in for the junior's missing 16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
 
The Highlanders will travel to Clarks Summit this Saturday afternoon to face off against rival Clarks Summit University in a CSAC matchup. Despite tonight's loss, there are countless positive notes to take away and the Highlanders will enter their next contest full of confidence and with their heads held high.