LANGHORNE, PA – The Cairn University Men's Basketball team hosted the annual Christmas Basketball Game inside the Mason Activity Center Monday night, as former conference foe Gwynedd Mercy came to town. The Highlanders couldn't hold on as the Griffins took the non-conference bout, 91-82.
 
Cairn (6-4 / 2-1 United East Skye Division) got on the scoreboard first via a jump shot from senior forward Owen Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge). Gwynedd Mercy (4-5) took the lead back quickly until senior guard Aytor Alberto (Willemstad, Curraçao / Clarks Summit University) drove in for a layup and three pointer to get the Highlander lead back and up to six points. Bradford added a pair of contested layups as the Griffins searched for a run. Fifth year guard Josh Forker (Telford, PA / Faith Christian Academy) nailed a triple to push the lead as far as seven, followed by another three and layup by Alberto, both assisted by junior guard Christian Rivera (Cayey, Puerto Rico / Central Bucks East), as Cairn led 37-28 with four minutes to play in the half. Gwynedd Mercy found a quick answer, tying the game at 41-41 heading into the intermission.
 
On the other side, Alberto came out hot, splashing two quick threes to take the lead. Gwynedd answered back and took a three point lead until Forker buried a trey of his own. Junior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) got in on the scoring as Bradford found him for a layup in the paint and junior guard Derrick Dolan (Berlin, NJ / Conwell-Egan) found him for a three on the kick out. Bradford pushed the lead back up to seven with an and-one layup turned three-point play. The Griffins tied things up at the halfway point. Senior forward Derian Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge) sank a jumper and found the big man in junior forward Chris Eelman (North Haledon, NJ / Hawthorne Christian Academy) for a layup to go up 4. Alberto added a pull-up jump shot for the six-point lead. As Gwynedd responded, Forker answered with a jump shot until the Griffins tied things up and subsequently took the lead with three minutes and change to play. Cairn would force the Griffins to make free throws, which they did, gathering an offensive rebound late to seal the deal, 91-82.
 
Alberto recorded a career-high 34 points with 11 rebounds, shooting 5-8 from behind the arc and adding three blocked shots and a pair of steals. Owen Bradford was next with 19 points and 8 boards. Rivera provided 7 assists. As a team, Cairn shot 41.8% from the floor, including 50% in the first half, to the Griffins 47.2%. Gwynedd Mercy made the most of fastbreak opportunities, outscoring the Highlanders 13-3.
 
The Highlanders hit the road before Christmas, heading out to Lancaster to take on the Chargers of Lancaster Bible College on Saturday before picking up conference play again at Keystone on January 3.