JAMAICA, NY- In a tense, non-conference matchup with York  College (NY), the Highlanders fell just short, losing 87-88 on a last second foul shot from the Cardinals.
 
The Highlanders started off slowly, trailing 48-36 at the end of the first half and struggling to find an offensive rhythm.  Cairn only managed to make 34% of their shots in their first half, while also shooting an uncharacteristic 3-15 from beyond the arc. The Cardinals continued to stretch their lead over the early stages of the second half, leading by as many as 19 points with just 9 minutes left in the contest.  Needing a spark, Coach O'Connell dialed up a press for the Cairn defense, setting the Highlanders loose in the hopes of quick buckets and a second life as time wound down.  The ploy paid off with Malachi Hall and Julian Collazo quickly sparking a Highlanders run behind 6 slashing points from Hall, and two long range buckets + a layup for Collazo. Two Justin Dean free throws and three absolutely huge threes from Eric Jacobs later and the Highlanders had tied the game 83-83 with 2:42 on the clock- mounting an incredible 26-6 run over the five minute span.  With momentum wholly on their side, Hall finished another layup and Jeremiah Harris knocked down two clutch free throws to put Cairn ahead 87-83.  However, the Cardinals speedy point guard Taishaun Forehand-Jenkins simply would not give up- tallying two straight layups, as well as the game-winning free throw with one second on the clock to hand the Highlanders the loss.
 
The Highlanders have played two great halves this season, unfortunately they fell on separate days. Cairn will seek to put it all together when they welcome Rutgers-Camden University to Langhorne at 7:00 PM Friday night for another non-conference matchup.