The Highlanders took on the University of Valley Forge in two back-to-back games this weekend, taking the first matchup 69-55 and dropping the Saturday game 59-47.

In the Friday night game, the Highlanders jumped out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to some early jumpers from Melissa Good and Dakota Hitchner and good free throw shooting by Korin Bradley and Allison Barnes. That double-digit lead stayed intact for most of the evening, even as the Highlanders weathered a 22-6 bench point advantage from the Patriots and an injury to star junior guard Dakota Hitchner in the second quarter.

Balance was the key to finishing the evening 1-0; all five of Cairn's starters finished the game with double-digit points.Junior guard Markie Watson and senior forward Melissa Good led the Highlanders in scoring with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Emily Minard led the team on the glass, chipping in 12 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
 

The second game of the weekend series started out with the Highlanders keeping pace with the Patriots into the second quarter, finding themselves only down by five at the half. However, the Patriots came roaring out of the gate in the third quarter, out-scoring the Highlanders by 13 in that quarter. Despite a modest comeback in the fourth, the Highlanders ultimately could not overcome the turnover differential and another great showing by Valley Forge's bench, falling to the Patriots 59-47.

Markie Watson had another excellent game and was joined by newcomer Korin Bradley in leading the team with 11 point, 11 rebound double-doubles. Melissa Good chipped in 9 points, including going 2-3 from deep.

The Highlanders are off until February 15 & 16, when they will travel to Pottersville, NY to take on the Huskies of the Word of Life Bible Institute in a back-to-back series.