SWARTHMORE, PA – Cairn Men's Basketball matched up with the Garnet of Swarthmore College on Monday for their last game of 2024, falling 89-69 as they look to turn the page to 2025.
 
Cairn (6-4 / 3-0 UNITED EAST) grabbed an early lead with a three by graduate guard Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) before the Garnet took control. Graduate forward Josiah Hardy (Ashburn, VA / Hampden-Sydney) got to work in the paint in an effort to even the score on two buckets as another three from Simpson put the Highlanders in the driver's seat once again. Junior guard Moses Ilogidwe (Wilmington, DE / Lycoming College) added a layup with Hardy putting back a tip-in giving Cairn a six-point lead, midway through the half. Swarthmore (7-3 / Centennial) answered with seven-straight points to grab the lead back and built their way to a ten-point lead. Graduate guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, NY / SUNY Potsdam) tipped in an offensive rebound as Simpson added two free throws and a layup to chip away at the lead. Hardy turned an offensive rebound into two points and Simpson scored again as the Highlanders were down only two points at the half.
 
The Highlanders were able to briefly regain the lead out of the break with layups by fifth year guard Isaiah Coleman (Fontana, CA / Clarks Summit University) and Hardy before the Garnet came right back and looked to get back to building. Coleman made a three to cut Swarthmore's lead to one as senior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) added a triple of his own putting Cairn back in control. Swarthmore took control again and never looked back, stretching the lead to the final margin of twenty points.
 
Hardy tallied 17 points on better than 50% shooting adding six rebounds and six assists. Simpson also had six rebounds as he added 15 points with two triples and five assists. Coleman made a pair from behind the arc as well for 10 points. Williamson and Desir each finished with nine points, Williamson swatting four shots. Cairn shot 43.3 % (26-60) from the floor compared to Swarthmore's 42.9% (33-77) but the Garnet held the advantage in points from the bench (52) and fast break points (21).
 
Cairn will continue their brief tour of the Centennial Conference as they head to McDaniel on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip off.