Box Score ALLENTOWN, Pa. ---The Cedar Crest College basketball team fell in tight battle 50-45 against Colonial States Athletic Conference match up Wednesday night in Lees Gymnasium. Cedar Crest came back in the second quarter after the Highlanders had an eight point lead in the first quarter to take the lead with just over five minutes to play before halftime. The lead would exchange hands only twice after that once in the third quarter and again with only 29 seconds left in the game.

"This girls played extremely well tonight and it is hard to have this end result," commented Interim Head Coach Asha Jones. "This was a fun game to be a part of, the potential we showed tonight is what I have looked for all season and I look forward to Saturday as to hold." 

The Falcons started the game with two good free throws by freshman guard/forward Rianna Kinard (Clinton, MD/Surrattsville High) that was followed up by a three-pointer by freshman guard Tenille Stewart (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) to bring the team within four. A layup late in the game by junior guard Taylor Osley (Allentown, PA/Louis E. Dieruff High School) cut the lead to eight ending the first quarter 15-7. Kinard scored the first six points of the quarter and two back-to-back three pointers by Stewart put the Falcons in the lead. Senior forward Kayleigh Keggan (Blairstown, NJ/Belvidere) knocked down a three of her own to keep the momentum going to win the quarter and head to halftime with a score of 23-21.

Back-to-back three pointers again by Stewart kept the Black and Yellow ahead as the teams battled for points in the third quarter. Sophomore forward Shemeca Thompson (Bridgeport, CT/Warren Harding) made a layup that was followed up by a jumper by Kinard for a quick four points. At the end of the third quarter the Falcons would lead 39-32. In the fourth quarter both teams would match each other for points, a three-pointer by Keggan kept a seven point lead for the Falcons as the visiting team closed the gap. The Highlanders took the lead with under 30 seconds left in the game and would end in a final score of 50-45.

Stewart led the team with 20 points, five rebounds and one steal while Kinard score 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Keggan had six points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal as Osley had three points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Thompson pulled in 11 rebounds, three points and two steals while freshman forward Katherina Pierre (Middletown, NY /John S. Burke Catholic) had two blocks and two steals as freshman forward Jaime Matson (West Milford, NJ /West Milford) had one block and two rebounds on the night.

The next game for the Falcons is Saturday, February 20 with tip-off slated for 1:00 p.m. as the team celebrates Senior Day against Rosemont.