HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Cairn University women's basketball team lost, 56-48 at non-conference foe Centenary University (NJ), marking their first loss of the 2021-22 season on Tuesday evening.
 
Centenary (3-1) and Cairn (2-1) engaged in a close-knit battle early, as the Cyclones held a 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Highlanders responded in the second frame, grabbing a 22-21 lead after a layup by senior Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, NJ / Atlantic Christian) with 5:40 left in the quarter. Cairn took a 27-25 lead into intermission. In the third stanza, the Highlanders got the first bucket off a layup by freshman Taylor Hinson (Carney's Point, NJ / Collingswood HS), but the Cyclones answered with an 8-0 run to regain the lead at 33-29 with 6:20 left in the third. Cairn got the lead within three (35-32) with 4:18 left, but a 9-0 run by the Cyclones to close the period gave them momentum heading into the fourth with a 44-32 lead. Despite trailing by 12 entering the final frame, Cairn mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to five after Hitchner found Hinson for a jumper with 1:38 remaining (51-46) but the clock ran out to hand the Highlanders their first loss of the season.
 
The Highlanders out shout Centenary in the contest 38.9% (21-54) to 33.9% (20-59) and bested the Cyclones in the rebounding department (42-34).
 
Cairn was led offensively by Hitchner, who posted team-highs with 12 points, five assists and six steals to go along with six rebounds. Hinson followed with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds, while classmate Kailee Sobrino (Vail, AZ / Empire HS) tallied nine points and three steals. Freshman Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) contributed eight points and eight rebounds, while senior Markie Watson (Jupiter, FL / Holy Cross Academy) added seven points.
 
Cairn will be back on the court on Friday, November 19 when they travel to Washington, DC to take on Trinity University in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.