LA PLUME, PA – Cairn Men's Basketball was back in midweek conference action at Keystone College on Tuesday night, falling 76-64 after a first half surge by the Giants.
 
Keystone (6-7 / 4-1 UNITED EAST) opened up with seven unanswered points before the Highlanders got on the board, pushing the early lead as far as eleven. Graduate guard Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) connected on a jump shot and layup to close the distance as senor guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) hit a three making it a one-possession game midway through the half. Fifth year forward Isaiah Coleman (Fontana, CA / Clarks Summit University) started finding his shot from deep as he cut the lead to one. The Giants answered back, pushing the lead back up to thirteen as they outscored the Highlanders 21-11 in the final eight minutes of the half.
 
The Highlanders added five early points out of the break, but Keystone kept pushing on. Desir and Coleman made deep shots to keep Cairn (8-7 / 5-2 UNITED EAST) within striking distance along with graduate guard Jadon Cepeda (West New York, NJ / William Paterson) on a fastbreak layup following a block by classmate Josiah Hardy (Ashburn, VA / Hampden-Sydney). The Giants pressed forward, back to a double-digit lead as the Highlanders began having to take fouls to get possession back. Keystone made their free throws, putting the lead at twenty with under a minute to play and out of reach for Cairn, who now moves to 5-2 in United East Play with a final score of 76-63.
 
Coleman had a good shooting night from behind the arc, scoring five three-pointers to reach 23 points and making it a double-double with thirteen rebounds. Hardy had thirteen points with a pair each of blocks and steals. Senior guard Christian Rivera (Cayey, Puerto Rico / Central Bucks East) was next with eight points and a season-high eleven assists.
 
The Highlanders will return to Langhorne to host Wilson College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.