Before the Highlanders tipped off against the Clarks Summit Defenders for the last women's basketball game in the MAC this season, they took some time to honor the careers of senior athletes Melissa Good and Jenna Krage.

Good is a four-year member of the women's basketball program, and has grown into a leader, on and off the court, during her time with the program. Coach Miriam Hartzler remarked on her ability to impact her team with her steady presence, dedication to her teammates, and commitment to improvement. The senior forward is having the best statistical year of her career, averaging 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-high 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Krage is also a four-year member of the women's basketball program. A standout shooter from beyond the arc, Krage led her team in threes attempted over the first three years of her career, and was always amongst the top of her team in three-point percentage. Although a season-ending shoulder injury kept her from playing her senior season, the team still desired to honor her contributions to the program over the past four years. Coach Hartzler thanked Jenna for her work ethic and consistency, and her desire to help her team even when sidelined for her senior year; Krage remarked that the most important lesson she has learned from the game of basketball is learning how to be a teammate in all aspects of life.

After the ceremony, it was time for the Highlanders to tip-off against the Defenders for the first of a two-day home-and-home series between the two programs, rescheduled from the weekend before. The first few minutes of the game was full of back-and-forth basketball, but the Defenders used a 20-7 run to end the quarter, and the Highlanders were never quite able to find their footing and get back into the game. Down by 10 going into halftime, the Highlanders needed a big third quarter in order to chip away at the Clarks Summit lead. However, Clarks Summit picked up right where they left off and outscored Cairn 27-8 in the third and 16-12 in the fourth to firmly put the game away, leading to a final score of 82-49.

The Defenders had their excellent three-point shooting to thank for their solid victory, hitting 14 threes as a team and shooting a staggering 40% from beyond the arc. Clarks Summit was led by monster games from Michaela McLeod, who was two assists shy of a triple-double (31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 7-13 3PT), Randie Traxler (29 points, 5 steals, 5 assists), and Alison Aten (17 points, 16 rebounds); those three combined to score 77 of their team's 82 points. 

The Highlanders' Allison Barnes had a breakout night, despite the loss. Barnes hit 4 of her 7 three point attempts en route to her team-high 20 points; she also chipped in 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Korin Bradley also continued her excellent play as of late, notching a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.

Cairn will look to avenge tonight's loss when they finish up their season tomorrow night at Clarks Summit. Game time is slated for 7 PM.