POTTERSVILLE, N.Y. – The Cairn University women's basketball team won, 75-47, over non-conference foe Word of Life Bible Institute in game-one of their weekend doubleheader with the Huskies in their season-opener on Friday evening.
 
Cairn (1-0) got rolling early, jetting out to a 12-5 lead before Word of Life (1-1) connected on two jumpers to end the quarter, trailing 12-9. In the second stanza, the Highlanders increased their lead to double digits with a 24-14 lead at the 4:32 mark. The Huskies trimmed the lead to 24-18 in the final minute of the half, but a 5-0 run to close out the period gave Cairn a 29-18 lead at intermission. In the second half, the Highlanders pulled away with a monster third quarter, pouring in 27 points in the frame and outscoring the Huskies by 11 points in the quarter en route to victory.
 
The Highlanders outshout Word of Life 40.9% (27-66) to 32.7% (17-52) and shot 50% from long range (4-8). The Highlanders forced 20 Husky turnovers in the contest and score 22 points off those turnovers.
Cairn was led offensively by senior Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, NJ / Atlantic Christian) who poured in a game-high 17 points on 8-13 shooting off the bench, while also notching game-highs with six steals and four assists. Hitchners's six steals tied a career-high. Freshman Tamia Warner (Ewing, NJ / Ewing) followed with 15 points off the bench in her first collegiate contest. Senior Markie Watson (Jupiter, FL / Holy Cross Academy) and freshman Kailee Sobrino (Vail, AZ / Empire HS) each added 12 points, while Watson grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman Taylor Hinson (Carney's Point, NJ / Collingswood HS) added nine points and snagged seven rebounds.
 
Cairn will be back on the court tomorrow for the second game of their doubleheader at Word of Life. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.