MORRISTOWN, NJ – The Cairn Men's Basketball team was on the road, Thursday night, looking to complete the regular season sweep over Saint Elizabeth. Second half defense for the Eagles carried them over the Highlanders, 76-58.
 
Saint Elizabeth (10-10 / 6-2 United East Skye Division) won the tip, making their first look on a jump shot to take the lead. Senior forward Derian Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge) responded with a layup and jump shot to tie things up. An and-one with the free throw would put the Eagles back in the driver's seat as they got out to a 5-point lead. Freshman guard Jake Zawacki (Kenilworth, NJ / David Brearly) sank a triple to cut into the lead. Saint Elizabeth would get on a 13-4 run, extending the lead to 11 before junior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) stopped the bleeding with a three. Desir would follow-up with a layup in the closing minutes, and get fouled on the last second shot in the half, making all three free throws. Cairn (11-8 / 6-5 United East Skye Division) would trail at the half, 40-32.
 
Senior guard Aytor Alberto (Willemstad, Curraçao / Clarks Summit University) would score the first bucket of the second half before the Eagles began an 18-5 run, interrupted by an early triple from Alberto. Desir and Alberto would cut the run off with a pair of threes and layup by Bradford as the Highlanders faced a 16-point hill to climb with six minutes to play. Bradford would find open looks for a pair of layups, getting fouled on the former and completing the three-point play. Fifth year guard Josh Forker (Telford, PA / Faith Christian Academy) and Bradford would each get fouled, making all their free throws to cut the Eagles' lead to 9 with 90 seconds in the game. Saint Elizabeth would respond with an 11-2 to close the game as they were put on the free throw line late.
 
Bradford continued his turn in leading the Highlanders, scoring 19 points with 13 boards and three steals. Desir shot 2-6 from three point range, scoring 13. Alberto was also 2-6, grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring 11. The Eagles would out shoot Cairn from the floor 41.5% to the Highlanders' 33.8% with Saint Elizabeth holding the biggest advantage in fast break points (19-8).
 
The Highlanders take a short break from conference play as they match up with Penn State – Abington on Monday night on the road at 7 p.m. before returning home for a women's/men's doubleheader with Clarks Summit on Wednesday night.