LANGHORNE, PA – The Highlanders faced the 7th-ranked Christopher Newport University Captains at the Mason Activity Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, falling 94-72 after leading for the first twenty-three minutes of play, unable to outlast a 58-point second half from the Captains.
 
Cairn (9-8 / 6-2 UNITED EAST) opened on a strong 20-9 run with seven points in that span from graduate guard Corey Baldwin (Henderson, NC / Averett) including the exclamation point of a deep shot each from Baldwin and senior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy). The Captains had a brief answer with a shot across the bow in the form of a three-pointer as the Highlanders kept their foot on the pedal, outscoring Christopher Newport (15-4 / Coast-To-Coast) 10-7 until the eight-minute mark. Cairn continued to make contested shots as the first half came down to the finish with Christopher Newport finishing the half on an 8-4 run and trailing Cairn 42-36 at the break.
 
The Captains came out on a 13-6 run, taking their first lead of the game, 49-48, just under five minutes into the period. Graduate forward Josiah Hardy (Ashburn, VA / Hampden-Sydney) crafted a six-point response in a layup, step back jumper and pair of free throws as Christopher Newport kept climbing on their now 19-8 run, shooting 7-9 from behind the arc to create some distance in their lead. As fifth year forward Isaiah Coleman (Fontana, CA / Clarks Summit University) made a pair of late threes, the Captains sprinted to the finished on twelve unanswered points with the final margin at twenty-two points. Cairn fought to stay competitive, but Christopher Newport's momentum ultimately overwhelmed. Despite the 94-72 loss, the Highlanders showed resilience and grit against a nationally ranked opponent.
 
Hardy was back in the lead of the scoring column with an even twenty points and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Baldwin finished with a double-double of twelve points and twelve rebounds as he crashed the glass effectively. Graduate guard Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) finished with thirteen points.
 
Cairn Men's Basketball will be back in action on Wednesday at Valley Forge for a 7:30 p.m. tip off in Phoenixville.