Langhorne, PA – Highlanders overcome double-digit deficit to defeat Penn State Harrisburg.
The Highlanders stumbled out of the gate missing their first 3 field goal attempts of the game before graduate guard
Jaylon Simpson (Atlanta, GA / Belmont Abbey) sunk a 3-pointer to put the Highlanders on the board. Cairn (15-5 / 7-1 UNITED EAST) stayed in the game with a lay-up from graduate guard
Chris Hill (Charlotte, NC / Saint Augustine's University) and a pair of free throws by Simpson cutting the lead to 10-7. Penn State Harrisburg (12-8 / 8-1 UNITED EAST) controlled the rest of the half stretching the lead out and entering half with a score of 28-16. The only Highlander offense for the rest of the half came from a trio of 3-pointers, one by Simpson and a pair by graduate guard
Corey Baldwin (Henderson, NC / Averett).
The second half started with more offensive output from Baldwin who knocked down another pair of triples to open the half for the Highlanders. Cairn was not able to make any progress on the Penn State Harrisburg lead with the Lions actually extending the lead by 1 point over this stretch. After this hot start to the half both teams went cold and neither team score for over two minutes until sophomore guard
Andrew DaCosta (Bordentown, NJ / Bordentown Regional) broke the scoreless streak with a lay-up. Another Baldwin triple paired with 5 points by graduate guard
Ron Ayers (Prince George's County, MD / Stevenson University) cut the Lions' lead down to 6. This set up Hill to score a tough lay-up to pull the Highlanders within 4. Penn State Harrisburg was able to respond and push the lead back 10 points with just 5 minutes remaining. Simpson took control scoring 7 of Cairn's next 9 points and brought the lead down to 3 points. A pair of Baldwin 3-pointers tied the game and put the Highlanders out in front. Harrisburg retook the lead but 4 straight points from Simpson gave the Highlanders the lead for good. 5th year guard
Jonathan Desir (Feasterville, PA / Neshaminy) forced a Penn State Harrisburg turnover to clinch the game and give Cairn a 65-60 victory.
The Highlanders will continue their conference schedule on Wednesday at 5 PM at Notre Dame (MD).
