HACKETTSTOWN, NJ- After a win earlier this week, the Highlanders rode the momentum into their first CSAC matchup against Centenary University Saturday afternoon.
 
The Highlanders took control of the first half, using stifling defense to force the Cyclones into 30% shooting from the floor.  Jordan Koczman kept up his great play from earlier this week with 10 points, while Julian Collazo continued to stuff the stat sheet with 7 points, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.  The Highlanders were also thrilled to see the return of Malachi Hall from injury, as the junior notched 8 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in 14 minutes in the first half.  The Highlanders stretched their lead to 10 early on in the second half, but the Cyclones came storming back, finding their stroke from beyond the arc and knocking down threes on three consecutive possessions to shrink the Cairn lead to 1 point. Basketball is a game of runs and the second half was the Cyclones turn to make a run. Centenary flipped the switch, taking a 10 point lead of their own with 10 minutes remaining.  The Highlanders bounced back, leveling the game, as each team traded buckets over the games dying seconds.  Junior guard Jeremiah Harris notched two free throws to bring the Highlanders within one with 15 seconds left, but an unfortunate foul put Centenary back on top by three with only twelve seconds left.  Racing up court, the Highlanders searched for an opening as the ball found its way back into Harris' hands as the seconds quickly ticked by.  Harris crossed over to his left, feinting in and creating enough space as he stepped back to get his shot off.  The high-arching three was pure, splashing through to tie the game and give the Highlanders new life as the game was sent to overtime. The Highlanders took care of business in OT as Josh Decker cashed in two threes to stretch the lead and push Cairn to their first CSAC win of the season.
 
Collazo finished just shy of a triple-double yet again, notching 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.  Koczman tallied 18 points, Harris finished with 16, and Decker hit four more threes on his way to 14 points.
 
Cairn will play two home games this week, taking on Wilson College at 8:00 PM Wednesday night, and the College of St. Elizabeth at 3:00 PM.