LANGHORNE, PA – The Cairn University Men's Basketball team battled with Keystone College at home on Wednesday night, falling short 109-102 in a midweek thriller.
 
Keystone (9-12 / 8-5 United East Skye Division) held the advantage early with senior guard Aytor Alberto (Willemstad, Curraçao / Clarks Summit University) answering back with a pull up three. As the Giants tried to pull ahead, Alberto, senior forward Derian Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge), and junior guard Christian Rivera (Cayey, Puerto Rico) each hit from three point range to tie things up at sixteen. Keystone answered back with three sets of triples for themselves to get their lead up to fifteen. Cairn (13-10 / 7-7 United East Skye Division) showed some determination starting with a three by sophomore guard Moses Ilodigwe (Wilmington, DE / Lycoming College) and continuing with a three point play by senior forward Owen Bradford (Lansdale, PA / University of Valley Forge), junior guard Derrick Dolan (Berlin, NJ / Conwell-Egan) on the assist. A three by fifth year guard Josh Forker (Telford, PA / Faith Christian Academy) and jump shots from Alberto would cut the Keystone lead to eight. The Giants managed a score as time expired, heading into halftime ahead, 53-43.
 
Out of the break, Alberto came out firing away, scoring the Highlanders' first seven points of the half. A layup and jump shot from Derian Bradford tied the game at 59-59, fueled by a steal from Rivera. Ilodigwe turned up the heat, flushing two triples sprinkled with a three by junior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy). Alberto gave Cairn their first lead since 7-6 on a pull up jump shot in the paint, following up with another jumper and three free throws to get Cairn up by five. Keystone responded with a trifecta of three pointers to go up by five themselves. Ilodigwe hit from deep three more times on his own as Keystone pulled ahead in the last three minutes, cutting the lead to two, and then three. Keystone made the free throws they needed to to hold Cairn off and take the game in heartbreaking fashion, 109-102.
 
It was a high scoring game for the Highlanders thanks to 50.7% shooting from the floor (37-73) and 48.3% from behind the arc (14-29). Alberto led the way scoring 35 points, a new career-high, shooting 3-6 from deep. Derian Bradford added 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ilodigwe continued to impress through his inaugural season at Cairn, scoring career-highs as well with 24 points and seven made threes. Forker was untamed on defense, swatting three shots.
 
The Highlanders meet with the Wilson College Phoenix at home on Saturday as they close the season with three straight home matchups. Saturday marks senior day for Cairn Men's Basketball's five seniors in what is bound to be a great game as well. The action begins at 3 p.m.