MORRISTOWN, N.J. – The Cairn University women's basketball team lost, 65-58 on the road in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) bout at Saint Elizabeth University on Monday evening.
 
Saint Elizabeth (2-16, 2-12 CSAC) and Cairn (8-13, 6-8 CSAC) got in a back-and-forth battle with each other in the first quarter and were tied at 12 a-piece midway through the period. The Eagles closed the quarter on a 7-1 run, however to take a 19-13 lead after one. Saint Elizabeth utilized a defensive-centric second quarter to extend its lead slightly to eight (32-24) at intermission. The Eagles held their largest lead of the contest (30-17) midway through the second quarter.
 
In the third frame, the Highlanders fought back, cutting the Eagles lead to just three (34-31) following a 7-2 run to start the frame. However, Saint Elizabeth had the answer once again, keeping the Highlanders at bay and extending their lead back to seven (48-41) by the end of the third. Cairn chipped away at the Eagles lead and got it to just one (55-54) with three minutes to play after a jumper by freshman Tamia Warner (Ewing, NJ / Ewing), but the Eagles scored six-consecutive points from there to essentially ice the contest.
 
Cairn shot 41.5% (22-53) from the floor in the contest compared to 33.8% (25-74) for the Eagles. Saint Elizabeth dominated the glass (56-35) and forced 25 Cairn turnovers, compared to 18 of its own.
 
Cairn was led by senior Dakota Hitchner (Ocean City, NJ / Atlantic Christian) who deposited 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals (all team-highs). Hitchner was followed by freshman Taylor Hinson (Carney's Point, NJ / Collingswood HS) with 12 points and seven boards, while senior Markie Watson (Jupiter, FL / Holy Cross Academy) also finished in double figures with 11 points.
 
Cairn will be back in action on Wednesday, February 9 when it returns home to take on conference foe Keystone College inside the Mason Activity Center at 6 p.m.