After a delay in competition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cairn University Athletic Department is pleased to announce the return of men's basketball for a shortened, independent 2021 season!

The Highlanders will be back in action in February after an outstanding campaign in their 2019-2020 season, in which they won the program's first-ever CSAC Championship and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament. The structure of the schedule will allow for a home and home series against four different teams throughout the month of February for a total of eight games. Junior guard, Jesse Rivera, said this about the upcoming season:

"Being able to have a season this year is a huge blessing and an opportunity that we don't take for granted. Playing basketball is something we love to do, but our team's ultimate goal is to reflect Christ and be an example of his love to others. This season is another chance to live out our faith on the platform we have on the court."

In lieu of a traditional season, the Highlanders are set to match up against the following teams:

It all begins February 5th as the University of Valley Forge Patriots look for a win to even up their 7-8 all-time record against the Highlanders. This may prove difficult, however, as the Highlanders have won the last  three meetings against the Patriots. The Highlanders host UVF on Friday at 7 PM before traveling to Phoenixville for the second matchup at 7 PM Saturday, February 6th.

Next, Cairn will travel to Pottersville, New York to take on the Huskies of Word of Life Bible Institute for the first time in school history. The first of a two-game series will tip off at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 15th, followed by game two at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 16th.

After a 114-81 victory against the Lancaster Bible College Chargers last year, the Highlanders are looking to repeat that trend as they play two games against the Chargers on February 19th in Langhorne and 20th in Lancaster. Both games will tip off at 7:00 PM.

The Highlanders will host the first matchup of the home and home series against the Clarks Summit Defenders on February 26th, before traveling on February 27th to complete the shortened season schedule. The last matchup against the Defenders was a nail biter as the Highlanders clinched an 88-84 win, allowing them to add to their winning streak against the Defenders, which now stands at nine games in a row. 

Optimistic about this upcoming season, Junior center Kameron Clark had this to say about his team:

"I'm looking forward to competing with my teammates… I expect an undefeated record. I believe we are a hard working and gritty team that can handle anyone that is put in front of us. If we put in hard work, I don't think anyone can beat us."

To begin the season in accordance with local guidelines, the Cairn University athletic department will not host any fans in the Mason Activity Center in 2021 due to risks associated with COVID-19. However, we look forward to hosting Highlander fans again in the near future. To show some love for your Highlanders and catch the action this winter, all home games will be streamed live at www.cairnhighlanders.com.

All games, times, and locations are subject to change. To view the current schedule, please visit https://www.cairnhighlanders.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball