PHOENIXVILLE, PA- The Highlanders took on the University of Valley Forge in non-conference play Friday night, falling 61-64 despite an excellent second half comeback.
 
The Highlanders struggled to find their footing offensively in the first half, managing only 20 points, but playing stellar defensively to keep Valley Forge within reach. The Highlanders came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, raising their shooting percentage nearly 35% and getting the score as close as 4 points during the third quarter. A layup from Tori Stum, two buckets from Dakota Hitchner, and a jumper from Kendra Stum put the Highlanders ahead 51-49 midway through the fourth quarter. The Highlanders kept the slight two point lead until a Jhanel Brown layup put the Patriots ahead with just 2 minutes remaining. Payton Emerick kept the Highlanders alive, finishing a tough driving layup to stay within two points, but Cairn was unable to finish a shot at the buzzer, dropping the contest by a final score of 61-64.
 
Dakota Hitchner and Payton Emerick each tallied 15 points, while Kendra Stum finished with 14 to edge closer to 1,000 points for her career. The Highlanders will play their Senior Day matchup this Saturday against the Centenary Cyclones at 2:00 PM! Cairn will be honoring the careers of Kendra Stum, Payton Emerick, Jana Goodman, and Aigner Bookard prior to the opening tip.