LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Cairn University men's basketball team edged out the Beavers of The City College of New York, 87-82 in their non-conference matchup at home Sunday night.
 
Cairn (5-3) came out of the gate hot, led by points in the paint by senior center Kameron Clark (Ewing, NJ / Ewing High School), who got on the board as well and assisted and junior forward Wes Murray (Reading, PA / Exeter High School) to get the Highlanders up in the early minutes. Senior guard Jesse Rivera (Doylestown, PA / Central Bucks East) and junior guard Dashaun Cain (Wilmington, DE / Red Lion Christian Academy) pushed the pace while commanding the boards to give Cairn extra opportunities at the rim. The Highlanders extended their lead through the later part of the first half, going on a run led by sophomore guard Matt Lucas (Quakertown, PA / Quakertown High School) and junior guard Noah Mitchell (Leesburg, VA / Toccoa Falls College) who went 2-3 and 1-2 from long range, respectively. Cairn closed the half up 51-32.

The Highlanders held off the Beavers for most of the second half, holding the lead by at least twelve points through most of the half. The Beavers (3-4) mounted an attack late, let by Jordan Williams who made three triples in the closing minutes. For the Highlanders, Clark led the way with 11 points in the half, fighting hard in the paint for points and rebounds through multiple double-teams. Rivera had nine points in the second frame, knocking down late game free throws with Clark to seal the victory.
 
The Beavers had the slight edge from the floor overall shooting 43.8 % (32-73) to Cairn's 42.4% (25-59). From deep, the Highlanders went 6-13 (46.2%) compared to the Beavers 7-22 mark (31.8%). The difference came from the free throw line, with Cairn having more opportunities at the charity stripe and shooting 70.5% (31-44) and the Beavers 61.1% (11-18).
 
The Cairn offense was led by Clark's double-double in points (26) and rebounds (17) and Rivera added 16 points with seven rebounds and five assists. Cain added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as well as Murray' nine points on 67% shooting.
 
The Highlanders continue their homestand on Thursday in their conference opener against Bryn Athyn College in a men's and women's doubleheader, playing the nightcap tipping off at 8 P.M.