LANGHORNE, PA- Cairn took on former CSAC opponent Neumann University last night, playing the powerhouse Knights incredibly close and dropping the contest by the slimmest of margins, 77-79.
 
The Highlanders and Knights traded buckets over the early stages, with Neumann taking the early lead 24-17 before Cairn came storming back behind layups from Julian Collazo and the freshman tandem of Jesse Rivera and Kameron Clark.  Neumann stretched their first half lead all the way to 10 points, but Rivera came through with a clutch three and Seth Brunner knocked down a deep trey to keep the Highlanders in reach. Justin Dean and Collazo finished acrobatic layups on the next two positions to build on the Highlanders 10-0 run and put Cairn ahead 47-46. With 5 minutes left on the clock the Highlanders clung to a one point lead before an and-one layup and turnaround jumper put the Knights atop by three. With the time rapidly dwindling the Highlanders fought to get back in front, but Neumann knocked down their free throws and Cairn dropped the contest 79-77.
 
Despite the loss, the Highlanders played their most complete contest of the young season and saw their first breakout performance from Jeremiah Harris. The junior knocked down multiple tough, step back jumpers and finished with 15 points in only 24 minutes. Justin Dean and Jordan Koczman continued their stellar play in the paint with 14 and 13 points, and Jesse Rivera showed great poise as a freshman point guard, tallying 9 points and finishing with 0 turnovers.