LANCASTER, PA – The Cairn University Men's Baseball team closed 2023 on the road in Lancaster, in search of their latest victory over the Chargers of Lancaster Bible College since 2019.
 
The Chargers got off to a galloping start, holding on to their early lead through the entirety of the first half, keeping the Highlanders behind by as much as 15 points and closing the first half up 40-27. Out of the break, Cairn (7-4 / 3-1 United East Skye Division) cut the Charger lead to single digits via the work of senior forward Owen Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge). Junior guard Christian Rivera (Cayey, Puerto Rico / Central Bucks East) would steal the ball to find junior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) on a fast break layup to make it a single possession game. Rivera then stole away another Charger possession to take the lead on a layup. As Lancaster Bible (3-7 / 1-2 United East Volt Division) fought back, senior guard Derian Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge) knocked down a jump shot and a pair of free throws to take the lead back. Desir buried a triple with ten minutes to play to give the Highlanders momentum, the start of which would hold the lead for Cairn for the rest of the game. Senior guard Aytor Alberto (Willemstad, Curaçao / Clarks Summit University) splashed a three to get the lead to double-digits. Back-to-back layups by Desir would take the wind out of the Chargers' sails as they searched for a comeback and made free throws by Derian Bradford put this one away for the Highlanders, 75-69.
 
Derian Bradford collected a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, assisting three and 5-6 from the charity stripe. Alberto took a close second, scoring 18 with 5 assists and three steals. Owen Bradford added 16 points and was the defender of the rim with a pair of blocked shots. Desir rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14. As a team, the Cairn squad shot 49.2% from the field, including 64.5% in the second half alone (20-31) making a comeback almost impossible.
 
The Highlanders will enjoy a short break from the action for Christmas before getting back to work on Wednesday, January 3 for a 3 p.m. tip at Keystone College.