CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Cairn University women's basketball team lost, 66-62 on the road against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) opponent Wilson College on Tuesday evening.
 
Wilson (7-5, 6-1 CSAC) jumped out to a 13-5 lead over Cairn (7-6, 5-3 CSAC) just six minutes into the contest and led 15-10 after one. Wilson took slight control in the second frame, with its largest lead of the half extending to 30-19 at the 2:50 mark. Cairn finished the quarter on a 9-3 run to cut the deficit to 33-28 at intermission.
 
In the third quarter, the Highlanders made their push, taking their first lead since the first quarter with a 10-2 run to start the frame and had their largest lead at four points (43-39) after a triple by senior Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, NJ / Atlantic Christian) with 2:09 left in the third. However, Wilson had the answer in the form of a 10-2 run of their own to close the period, reclaiming the lead at 49-45 after three. The Highlanders only trailed by three (65-62) with 1:08 remaining, but the Phoenix defense held firm, securing the victory.
 
Cairn shot 36.5% (23-63) from the floor compared to 32.4% (22-68) for the Phoenix. The Highlanders held a slight edge in the rebounding department (46-43) and knocked down 86.7% (13-15) of their free throws.
 
Cairn was led offensively by Hitchner, who put forth the second-best offensive output of the season with a game-high 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. Hitchner also tied a game-high by snagging three steals and dished out a team-high three assists. Hitchner was followed by freshman Taylor Hinson (Carney's Point, NJ / Collingswood HS) who posted her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and tied a game-high with 13 boards.
 
Cairn will be back in action on Thursday, January 20 when it returns home to take on Cedar Crest College in a conference tilt starting at 7 p.m.