LA PLUME, PA- The Highlanders dropped another close contest in the final minutes, as the host Giants held off their final efforts to win by a final score of 77-76.

In the first game back after a lengthy Christmas break, the Highlanders were immediately jolted into action as they were staked to an early 10-4 deficit. Richard Rosas sparked the Highlanders to life, hitting multiple three pointers off the bench and leading the Cairn attack with 10 points in the opening frame. The Highlanders were able to neutralize Keystone's fast-paced attack in the first half, and force the Giants into a paltry 20% shooting mark from beyond the arc. Conversely, Cairn managed to shoot a sterling 45.5% from three to end the first half with a 43-39 lead. 

The Highlanders started slowly in the second half as well, conceding an 11-2 run over the first five minutes to drop their lead and trail by a score of 53-45. Always resilient, the Highlanders put their heads down and went to work, Josh Decker hit a midrange jumper, Malachi Hall netted a three, and Justin Dean converted three points the old fashioned way to bring the game back to four points. Both teams traded blows over the remaining 10 minutes, and with two minutes to go Cairn trailed 77-69. The Highlanders brought it all the way back over the next minute, and when Decker drained his second three of the day, Cairn trailed by one with one minute to go. In a haphazard final minute, the Highlanders had 4 chances to tie the game, but each shot was off the mark and the Highlanders officially fell in their first game back. 

Malachi Hall tallied a near triple-double with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, Jordan Koczman had a double-double of his own with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Richard Rosas led the Highlanders with 13 points on 5-7 shooting.

Cairn will head to Centenary to take on the Centenary Cyclones in a CSAC matchup this Saturday at 2:00 PM.