LANGHORNE, PA- The Highlanders hosted Notre Dame (MD) University Thursday night. Cairn outlasted the Gators, 56-53, taking a huge CSAC victory in a game with potential future playoff implications.
 
After a close loss to the Gators earlier this season the Highlanders knew they needed a victory in front of the home crowd tonight.  Payton Emerick and Tori Stum started off the scoring for the Highlanders- a pattern that would hold throughout the night.  The Highlanders struggled from the field against Notre Dame's long, athletic defense, but Cairn crashed the boards relentlessly, creating a number of second chances that were converted into easy points.  The Gators' Adrianna Fletcher got hot from beyond the arc, knocking down four first half three pointers to give Notre Dame a 27-26 lead at the end of the first half.  The Highlanders led by as much as four in the third quarter, but more timely three point shooting kept the Gators ahead by one at the close of the third frame. Three straight jumpers from Charlotte Allen and a Kendra Stum layup put the Highlanders ahead by eight with just six minutes remaining. Notre Dame chipped away at the lead, getting it within one with just 38 seconds on the clock, but Tori Stum found Payton Emerick with a beautiful pass for the game-icing layup.
 
Cairn finished with an outstanding 22 offensive rebounds, led by the dualing double-doubles of Tori Stum with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Payton Emerick with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The Highlanders will take on Bryn Athyn College Saturday afternoon at 1:00 PM in another CSAC contest.