LANGHORNE, PA – On Saturday, the Cairn University Highlanders hosted the Notre Dame of Maryland Gators in conference play, falling 77-69 to the Gators.
 
The game commenced with both teams exchanging baskets and the Highlanders holding onto the lead through the early rounds of play. Cairn (10-9 / 7-3 UNITED EAST) ran ahead to an eight-point lead quickly with a deep shot from senior guard Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy), driving layup by graduate guard Jadon Cepeda (West New York, NJ / William Paterson) and tip for classmate Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) after grabbing an offensive rebound. Senior guard Ashton West (Newport Beach, CA / Clarks Summit University) then made a fastbreak layup to get the lead into double-digits. Notre Dame (9-11 / 4-4 UNITED EAST) battled back to tie the game by the five-minute mark after a 13-2 run over a four-minute stretch. The Gators had the momentum swing their way, adding a three-pointer and putback layup as West ended the half on a high-note for the Highlanders with a layup just before the horn, Cairn down 37-34.
 
The second half intensified as graduate guard Corey Baldwin (Henderson, NC / Averett) tied the ballgame out of the gate with a three and West adding the next two scores for his squad. With the Gators ahead again, West once again had the answer with a fastbreak layup courtesy of a Cepeda steal and Simpson splashing a three on the next possession to put Cairn back in control. As the clock ticked past ten minutes, Notre Dame had firm control of the lead back. With the game getting down to the wire, the Gators capitalized on a series of three-pointers to extend the lead, Cepeda matching one with three minutes and change to play as the Highlanders looked to rally one more time. Notre Dame maintained their composure, sinking every free throw in the last minute of play preserve their lead as they came out on top, 77-69.
 
West finished with a game-high-tying 18 points while Cepeda had fifteen points, shooting effectively when he took shots (4-6 FG) with six rebounds and three steals. Hardy rounded out double-digit scorers for Cairn with 15 points. A 20% three-point shooting performance and allowing offensive rebounds were the difference in the game as both squads only turned the ball over ten times (Cairn scoring 15 points off turnovers).
 
Cairn will do battle with the top-seeded Bryn Athyn Lions on Tuesday in Bryn Athyn, tipping off 8 p.m. in what is always an instant classic.