LANGHORNE, PA – The Cairn University Highlanders faced the Gallaudet University Bison in a women's basketball game at home on Saturday with the Bison securing a 74-59 victory.
 
Gallaudet (7-8 / 4-2 UNITED EAST) dominated early, outscoring the Highlanders 26-9. The Highlanders faced a tough opening quarter with the Bison coming out strong offensively, struggling to find their rhythm while keeping their energy high, looking for opportunities to adjust their defense and create better scoring chances. Sophomore forward Audrey Elisondo (Bethesda, MD / James I O'Neill High School) added a three pointer.
 
In the second quarter Cairn (1-12 / 0-7 UNITED EAST) improved defensively, holding Gallaudet to 13 points while scoring 14 themselves as sophomore forward Dezaray Bright (Keystone Heights, FL / Keystone Heights) hit two jump shots to open the frame as senior guard Kailee Sobrino (Vail, AZ / Empire) added a layup. She, junior guard Tatiana Ipri (Mullica Hill, NJ / Gloucester County Christian), and sophomore forward Emily Brittin (Winslow, NJ / Pilgrim Academy) added key shot to cut the lead to sixteen as Gallaudet led 39-23 at the break.
 
The third quarter saw Cairn battling to keep pace with Gallaudet's play. The Highlanders managed 16 points in the quarter, with solid contributions from shots in the paint and a three from Sobrino. However, Gallaudet's efficiency allowed them to maintain a significant lead, extending the score to 60-39 by the end of the period.
 
The Highlanders saved their best for last, outscoring Gallaudet 20-14 in the fourth quarter. Cairn's energy on both ends of the court was palpable, as they executed key defensive stops and converted on offensive possessions. While the early deficit proved too much to overcome, the Highlanders' spirited fourth-quarter performance had them falling short by sixteen, 74-59.
 
Three Highlanders were in double figures for scoring as Sobrino led with sixteen on a pair of threes. Brittin added fifteen while Bright had thirteen, each with nine rebounds. Ipri led defensively with a team-high three steals.
 
Cairn will take a break until Wilson College comes to town on Saturday for a women's/men's doubleheader at 1 and 3:30 p.m.