LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Cairn University women's basketball team lost 71-60 in their home opener against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) opponent Wilson College on Tuesday evening.
Wilson (2-3, 1-1 CSAC) got off to a hot start with a 17-4 run to begin the first quarter. The Highlanders found their rhythm led by senior guard
Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, NJ / King University) who put up eight consecutive points to get Cairn (2-3, 0-1 CSAC) back in the fight, closing the first quarter only down 4. The Highlanders outscored the Phoenix 19-13 in the second quarter led by senior forward
Korin Bradley (Levittown, PA / Bucks County Community College) who had 10 points with 5 rebounds in the quarter and freshman guard
Kailee Sobrino (Vail, AZ / Empire HS) who had 4 points and 2 assists in the second to bring Cairn to a 35-33 lead at halftime. Wilson held the Highlanders to 5 points in the third quarter. Freshman forward
Taylor Hinson (Carney's Point, NJ / Collingswood HS) would not go down without a putting up a fight, putting up 9 points on 4-4 shooting in the final quarter, though Wilson would end up taking the game 71-60.
The Highlanders outshot Wilson from deep 33.3% (4-12) to 20% (3-15) and from the free throw line 71.4% (10-14) to 70% (14-20) but were bested from the floor as a whole 45% (27-60) to 39% (23-59) by the Phoenix. Wilson relied heavily on their depth with 25 points coming from the bench while Cairn looked to make the most of fast break opportunities, outscoring Wilson 16-13 in that column.
The Cairn offense was led by Hitchner and Hinson, each with 14 points, Hitchner dished out six assists and Hinson shot 6-for-8 on the night with a team-high seven rebounds. Sobrino tallied 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting with five assists and two steals. Bradley contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
The Highlanders are back in action following the Thanksgiving holiday at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on Saturday for their second conference match up of the young season. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
